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Phoenix Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Handling Fall Claims
Aggressive representation since 1993 for Arizona seniors who fall in nursing homes
Nursing homes know that most of their residents already have or will likely soon develop mobility problems. Even the most active seniors are likely to develop stability problems due to the medications they take, vision difficulties, osteoporosis, heart disease, loss of muscle mass, foot problems, and other complications. Many seniors in nursing homes use walkers, canes, and wheelchairs. Phoenix nursing homes must take proactive measures to prevent falls, reduce the impact of falls, and treat fall injuries immediately.
At Garcia & Artigliere, our Phoenix nursing home neglect lawyers are strong advocates for anyone, of any age, who falls in a nursing home. We’ve helped clients in Arizona and across America obtain recoveries for more than $3 billion dollars. We understand the safety steps that all nursing homes should take to prevent falls and the individual care plans that nursing homes should implement for residents based on their unique health issues – such as cognitive difficulties and different ailments. We work with orthopedists, neurologists, and other doctors who are skilled at diagnosing and treating fall injuries such as broken bones and head trauma.
Garcia & Artigliere has recovered more than $100,000,000 for fall victims. In one illustrative case, we obtained a $5 million award in Phoenix Superior Court for a resident of a nursing home resident who fell multiple times.
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How common are falls in nursing homes?
According to the National Safety Council, falls are the number one cause of death among the elderly.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2018, 36 million seniors (out of a population of 52 million) fell, causing eight million injuries nationwide. The CDC estimates that by 2030, 52 million of the nation’s 73 million people will fall, causing 12 million injuries.
Why do residents of nursing homes in Phoenix fall?
Nursing homes know in advance that their residents have many of the risk factors for falls.
The National Institute on Aging states that some of the key reasons seniors fall include:
- Poor eyesight, hearing, and reflexes
- Heart disease, diabetes, thyroid disorders, nerve disorders, and problems with a resident’s blood vessels or feet can affect a resident’s balance
- The need to rush to the bathroom due to incontinence or other bladder and bowel ailments
- Dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other cognitive impairments
- Loss of muscle mass (called sarcopenia) and drops in blood pressure (called postural hypotension) when a resident gets up after lying down or sitting
- Some medications increase the risk of falls because the side effects can include confusion and dizziness
- Existing mobility problems due to current or past broken bones or other causes
Other factors that nursing homes in Phoenix should address are:
- Beds that are too high
- Cluttered rooms, floors, and hallways
- Poor lighting
- Uneven floors and torn carpets
- A lack of handrails
- Loose rugs
- A large number of steps
- Showers that don’t have traction
Falls may happen for many other reasons depending on the design and layout of the nursing home.
What types of injuries do falls cause?
Most residents of nursing homes are seniors. When they fall, it often takes much longer for their injuries to heal.
The CDC states that hip fractures are one of the most common types of fall injuries. Each year, more than 300,000 older people are hospitalized for falls. Most hip fractures are caused by falling, usually by falling sideways. Women experience hip fractures three times as much as men – partially due to osteoporosis.
Other fall injuries include
- Broken bones/fractures of the arms, legs, shoulders, and other parts of the body
- Dislocations
- Head trauma, including traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Spinal cord damage, including paralysis
- Chronic pain
- Cuts and bruises
- Dental injuries
- Internal injuries, including internal bleeding
Some falls may be fatal
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
For many seniors, the treatment for their physical injuries is only part of their pain. Many seniors become depressed and anxious due to fears of falling again and wondering if their injuries will ever heal.
How can nursing homes in Phoenix prevent falls?
Most falls in Phoenix nursing homes can be prevented with proper planning. Prompt treatment can help prevent complications.
At Garcia & Artigliere, our Phoenix nursing home fall injury lawyers examine what protocols the nursing home failed to have in place to prevent falls from occurring. Nursing homes need to do more than address fall prevention strategies after a resident falls. Nursing homes in Arizona should have detailed written policies and procedures in place before falls occur to prevent falls and specific personnel assigned to fall prevention.
Some of the ways nursing homes can help prevent falls include:
- Regular inspections to remove any clutter or debris
- Helping the residents stay physically and emotionally functional and active
- The use of bedside commodes
- Grab bars
- Understanding the physical, emotional, and cognitive challenges of each resident that make falls more likely
- Designing the facility to make mobility easier and safer
- Helping the residents with mobility aids such as canes, walkers, and wheelchairs
- Beds, chairs, and bathrooms that are easy to get into and out of
- Using nightlights
- Encouraging the residents to wear shoes that have good traction
- Understanding the side effects of medications
- Making sure the residents are well-rested
Nursing homes in Phoenix should arrange for immediate medical transport to a nearby emergency room if a resident does fall.
What damages can Arizona nursing home residents claim if they fall?
At Garcia and Artigliere, our Phoenix nursing home fall lawyers have 150 years of combined experience filing elder care claims. We’re respected by former clients, nursing homes, and the legal community for our ability to thoroughly prepare, negotiate, and argue each client’s claim. We work with nursing home professionals when necessary to help show what protocols the nursing home should have used - and with physicians who can verify the senior’s injuries, treatments, and pain. Our Arizona nursing home lawyers understand the federal and Arizona laws that regulate fall prevention in nursing homes.
We demand compensation for all of the injured resident’s damages including:
- All medical expenses, such as ER care, hospitalizations and surgeries, physician visits, rehabilitative therapy, assistive devices, and medications
- The resident’s daily physical pain and emotional suffering
- The loss of the resident’s quality of life
- Any permanent or chronic injuries
- Any financial or property damage
If a parent, spouse, or other close relative dies, we file a wrongful death claim on behalf of the family.
Wrongful death damages in Arizona include:
- Funeral and burial costs
- The loss of financial support your loved one would have provided
- The loss of personal support, companionship, guidance, and affection your loved one would have provided
Do you have a nursing home fall attorney near me?
Garcia & Artigliere represents residents of nursing homes in Phoenix who fall due to nursing home abuse and neglect. We’ll calmly and clearly guide you and your loved one through each step of the claims process.
Speak with the Arizona nursing home fall injury lawyers of Garcia & Artigliere today
Every nursing home should have fall prevention procedures. Falls can be prevented with proper planning and by focusing on each resident’s individual care. Nursing home staff, administrators, and managers should be held accountable if a resident falls if that fall could have been prevented with common-sense practical solutions.
At Garcia & Artigliere, our Phoenix nursing home fall injury lawyers have the experience and resources to fight for the victims of nursing home neglect in Phoenix and nationwide. Call us or contact our offices today to schedule a free case evaluation. We maintain additional offices in Los Angeles, Long Beach, Louisville, and New Orleans. Our team represents nursing home residents and families throughout the United States. We only receive compensation if your case settles or if there is a verdict in your favor.
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