Shollenberger Januzzi & Wolfe, LLP

Could your loved one’s fall have been due to hospital negligence?

When an elderly or vulnerable loved one is hospitalized, you expect them to be treated with the utmost of care. That means taking steps to prevent your loved one from falling. Unfortunately, hospital falls are far too common, and they can cause serious injuries – especially in patients whose health is already fragile.

Who is most at risk for falls?

Adults aged 65 and older are most susceptible to falls. However, other factors can also make someone a fall risk. These include:

While still recovering from the affects of anesthesia, post-operative patients are also at risk of falling and should be closely monitored.

Falls can cause serious injuries

Even patients with no history of fractures or broken bones can still suffer serious injuries in a fall. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

Even when they come away from a fall uninjured, many people become incredibly fearful of experiencing a second fall and decrease their activity levels. Unfortunately, this may cause weakness and make them even more susceptible to falls.

Falls can be grounds for a hospital negligence claim

Hospital falls can result from a combination of factors such as:

If your elderly parent or other loved one suffered a fall while in a hospital, compensation may be available. Hospital negligence suits help victims and their families deal with medical bills, ongoing pain and suffering, and other related damages. These suits can also force hospitals to implement proper safety precautions, preventing future patients from similar accidents.