6 Reasons Fall Injuries May Occur in Nursing Homes

 Posted on March 13, 2025 in Personal Injury

Falls are a serious concern for nursing home residents. Elderly people may be unsteady on their feet, and they may need assistance as they move about a nursing home. When fall accidents occur, nursing home residents who are in frail condition may suffer severe injuries such as fractures, head trauma, back injuries, or serious strains and sprains. Many of these falls are preventable, and they may happen due to negligence by a nursing home or its staff.

When a nursing home fails to provide the proper care and supervision, it may be held liable for injuries sustained by residents. An experienced attorney can help a family take legal action to hold a facility accountable for the harm a person has suffered due to negligence.

Common Causes of Falls in Nursing Homes

Nursing home residents are often at a higher risk of falling due to age-related conditions and limitations on their mobility. Staff members should provide assistance when needed while addressing any safety concerns that could increase the risk of falls. When a nursing home fails to take the necessary measures, fall accidents may occur due to issues such as:

• Inadequate Supervision and Assistance: Many nursing home residents require help with getting out of bed, using the restroom, or walking through a facility. If a nursing home does not have enough staff to assist residents when necessary, a person may attempt to move on their own and fall in the process.
• Unsafe Conditions: Hazards such as wet floors, poor lighting, loose carpets, or cluttered hallways can create dangerous conditions that can lead to falls. Nursing homes should maintain safe environments, and staff members should quickly address hazards to prevent fall injuries. Failure to do so may be considered negligence.
• Lack of Proper Safety Equipment: Many nursing home patients need mobility aids such as walkers or wheelchairs, and bed rails may be used to help prevent falls. Bed alarms and call buttons should also be available to alert staff members when residents need help. If these items are missing, broken, or improperly used, residents may suffer injuries due to falls. 
• Medication Side Effects: Certain medications can cause dizziness, drowsiness, or loss of coordination, increasing the risk of a fall. Staff members should monitor residents for medication-related side effects and adjust care plans to address these issues. Failure to pay attention to residents’ conditions may result in fall accidents.
• Improper Transfers: Staff members will need to follow the proper procedures when transferring a resident from a bed to a wheelchair or assisting them in standing up. If staff members are not properly trained, or if they attempt to move a resident without assistance, the resident could fall and suffer serious injuries.
• Failure to Develop and Follow Care Plans: Each resident should have an individualized care plan that addresses their specific needs, including fall prevention strategies. If staff members do not follow these plans, residents may be placed in unsafe situations that can lead to falls.

When Is a Nursing Home Liable for a Fall Injury?

Nursing homes have a legal duty to provide a safe environment and proper care for residents. If a fall occurs due to negligence, the facility may be held liable for the resulting injuries. A nursing home may be considered negligent for:

• Failure to maintain a safe and hazard-free environment
• Failure to provide assistance with walking or transfers
• Understaffing leading to inadequate supervision
• Failure to perform medical assessments and implement fall prevention measures
• Lack of safety equipment

Contact Our Joliet Nursing Home Fall Injury Attorneys

Families who suspect that nursing home negligence played a role in fall accidents that caused residents to suffer injuries can work with our Joliet, IL nursing home injury lawyers to recover financial compensation. We will provide guidance on the best steps to take to make sure that a facility that failed to provide proper care will be held liable for its negligence. Contact us at 815-727-0100 to schedule a free consultation.