Preventable Hip Fractures Can Be Caused by Nursing Home Negligence

 Posted on May 31, 2022 in Nursing Home Falls

Hip fractures are one of the worst outcomes of a fall accident. While any type of fracture can be painful, hip fractures are particularly incapacitating. Over 300,000 elderly people are hospitalized with hip fractures every year. Women suffering from osteoporosis are at the highest risk of hip fractures but anyone can suffer a broken hip in a fall.

Broken hips take a massive toll. Most sufferers require surgery and must endure long, painful recoveries. Studies show that the 12-year mortality rate doubles after a hip fracture.

Sadly, many hip fractures are preventable. Nursing home neglect, mistakes, and substandard care increase the risk of preventable fall accidents.

Reasons Elderly and Ill Residents Suffer Broken Hips

The vast majority of hip fractures are caused by falling. Elderly people have lower bone density and less muscle mass than young people. They may also take medications that make them dizzy. The risk of falling is quite high for those over 65 years old. This is why it is so important for nursing home staff to decrease the risk of falling as much as possible.

Preventable hip fractures can be caused by:

• Slip and fall accidents – Something as seemingly innocuous as a spilled drink can pose a serious risk to elderly people and those in poor health.

• Trip and fall accidents – Nursing homes should be kept clean and free of clutter. Objects, electrical cords, misaligned floor tiles, and other environmental hazards can cause nursing home residents to trip and fall, suffering hip fractures, head injuries, and more.

• Over-medication – When residents are given too much medication or given unjustified sedative mediation, they can get dizzy and fall.

• Poor lighting – Many older people have poor eyesight. Inadequate lighting only adds to this problem and makes fall accidents more likely.

• Transfer mistakes – Nursing home staff may drop a resident when transferring them from bed to their wheelchair.

• Insufficient assistive devices – Walkers and wheelchairs should always be used if a resident is unable to move about on his or her own safely.

Holding a Nursing Home Accountable for a Hip Fracture

If a nursing home's failure to provide a safe environment and adequate care caused your loved one to suffer a hip fracture, you may be able to take legal action. You may be able to hold the nursing home facility and staff accountable for the harm your loved one suffered. You may also be able to recover monetary compensation.

Contact a Chicago Nursing Home Negligence Lawyer

If your loved one suffered a hip fracture in a nursing home, contact our Cook County nursing home injury attorneys for legal support. Call 312-535-4625 for a free consultation.

Source:

https://www.cdc.gov/falls/hip-fractures.html