Each year, three million adults aged 65 and older go to the emergency room for fall injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This includes older people in residential care facilities like nursing homes. If you or a loved one were injured in a nursing home accident in Roswell, it’s important to know your legal options.
Negligence or even abuse can lead to slip and fall accidents at nursing homes. If someone was careless towards the resident, they might be liable for the injury costs. The same goes for a visitor who slipped and fell at a nursing home.
Our Roswell nursing home accident lawyers at John Foy & Associates can help. We know what it takes to protect the rights of injured residents and visitors. Our team is not afraid to fight for what you deserve.
To learn more during a FREE consultation, call (404) 400-4000 or fill out the form on our contact page.
Common Fall Hazards at Nursing Homes
Nursing home employees must ensure the property is safe for residents and visitors. If the business does not maintain safe premises, it can be liable for an accident.
After a fall, it’s important to identify what caused the accident. Although each case is different, some common causes of falls include:
- Slippery floors
- Curled up, torn, or ripped rugs or carpeting
- Spilled drinks or other liquids
- Mopped or waxed floors
- Balance problems
- Weak knees or legs
- Prescription medications that cause weakness, dizziness, or incoordination
- Missing or broken stairs
- Water leaks
- Items left in walkways
- Missing or poorly-installed railings
Nursing home residents need more attention and care than other adults. If the property contains hazards, a resident might fall at any time. This is even more likely if employees fail to monitor residents properly.
Nursing home staff should have the training to watch for potential hazards. They must also know they need to find and clean up dangerous conditions before they cause harm. If a hazard cannot be fixed immediately, the nursing home should block off the area or provide efficient warnings.
There are many ways nursing home negligence can lead to a slip and fall accident. If you or a loved one were injured, it might be grounds for a legal case.
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Compensation for Nursing Home Accident Injuries
All nursing homes must ensure their premises are safe for those who come onto the property legally. At a nursing home, this includes both the residents and visitors to the home. According to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §51-1-6, an injury victim can seek compensation for a breached legal duty.
The first step is usually to file an insurance claim against the nursing home. The company should have liability insurance in case of an accident. If you cannot get compensation for your claim, you might need to file a lawsuit.
A nursing home accident claim should outline all the damages suffered. Personal injury damages are any losses that result from accident injuries. Examples include:
- Doctor and hospital bills
- Costs of prescription medications
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation expenses
- Pain and suffering from emotional and mental damages
A nursing home resident is more likely to suffer severe injuries in a slip and fall. A fall can cause a broken hip, severe bruising, and even neck injuries. This type of injury can greatly decrease someone’s quality of life.
At John Foy & Associates, we treat each of our nursing home accident clients with compassion and understanding. With over 20 years of experience, we know how to investigate and build a strong case.
Contact us today to get a FREE consultation. We’ll discuss the details and how we handle the legal side of things. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
Injuries from a Nursing Home Fall
Older adults have more sensitive bodies, and they’re often already dealing with health conditions. A slip and fall can take its toll immediately and get worse over time. The pain, financial cost, and emotional suffering can be devastating.
Typical nursing home accident injuries can include:
- Broken hips, wrists, arms, legs, neck, or ankles
- Severe cuts or bruising
- Concussions or other brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Infections from open wounds
Older adults are more prone to fractures and other injuries. A fall injury that a younger person could heal from can have serious consequences for a nursing home resident. These are essential factors to consider when bringing a case against a nursing home.
Tragically, too many nursing home accidents result from neglect or abuse. If there is possible evidence of abuse, don’t wait to contact a lawyer. The company should be held accountable for any neglectful behavior.
After the accident, document whatever you can. If a loved one was injured, you might need to help gather evidence from the injury. It’s also important to contact a lawyer who can help as soon as possible.
Proving Nursing Home Liability After an Accident
If staff negligence led to a slip and fall, the nursing home is likely reliable. But holding the company responsible isn’t always easy.
Nursing homes might deny liability after someone is injured. They might look for ways to avoid investigations or lawsuits. Do not accept this. Instead, talk to a lawyer who can help you build a case.
You and your lawyer can help you prove negligence through actions like:
- Taking pictures of the scene and your loved one’s injuries
- Saving all emails or other correspondence with the nursing home team
- Saving evidence of damages from the accident
- Not discussing fault or liability without a lawyer present
- Not accepting a settlement without talking to a lawyer first
The insurance company might offer the victim a settlement quickly. But this will be a lowball amount that doesn’t come close to covering all damages. Never accept the first settlement offer or sign anything without a lawyer.
Get the legal help you need today. Neither you nor your loved one should have to pay for a nursing home’s carelessness or neglect. You have legal rights that you can start pursuing today.
Talk to a Roswell Nursing Home Accident Lawyer Today
Nursing home accidents are often devastating for residents and their families. But your family doesn’t have to handle the situation alone. At John Foy & Associates, we can handle the legal details while you focus on healing.
Contact us today for a FREE consultation. You don’t pay us a thing until we win your case. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get started.
(404) 400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
