Your loved one may have mobility issues, balance problems, or dizziness as a side effect of the medications they are on. These are likely the main reasons why you made the tough decision to place them in a nursing home in the first place. So when they slip and fall while in this facility, you may consider that this accident cannot simply be blamed on their old age and physical impairments. Rather, you may believe that the staff should have taken more reasonable steps to prevent this foreseeable harm. If this is your current train of thought, please continue reading to learn whether a slip and fall incident is an indication that nursing home neglect is occurring, and how an experienced Miami medical malpractice lawyer at the Law Offices of Gonzalo Funes, PA, can help you put a stop to this immediately.

Is a slip and fall accident a sign of nursing home neglect?

Not every slip and fall makes a nursing home facility automatically accountable. However, in some cases, it may indication of neglect, as the staff may have breached their duty of care in upholding safety standards and following your loved one’s care plan. Below are specific examples of when this may be attributable:

  • Your loved one may be documented as a fall risk, but is repeatedly left unattended when transferring from bed to chair.
  • Your loved one may have limited mobility, but is forced to walk alone to the restroom after waiting too long.
  • Your loved one’s room may not be equipped with mobility handrails, bed alarms, and other safety features to prevent falls.
  • Your loved one may walk down a hallway with poor lighting, obstructions by loose cords and medical devices, etc.
  • Your loved one may be put on a medication with dizziness as a side effect, but does not receive increased supervision.

What are other common signs of nursing home neglect?

A slip and fall accident is a far more glaring sign that neglect exists in a nursing home facility than other things. This is because a single event can be pinpointed. So, you should make it your duty to watch out for small changes in your loved one’s condition, to pick up on possible neglect before they get seriously injured. Other common signs include the following:

  • If your loved one has bedsores or pressure ulcers, they may not be getting repositioned enough times.
  • If your loved one appears dehydrated or malnourished, they may not be getting assistance with drinking and eating.
  • If your loved one has body odor and unwashed hair, they may not be getting help with hygienic routines.
  • If your loved one gets chronic urinary tract infections, they may not be getting escorted to the restroom frequently.
  • If your loved one appears sedated or drowsy, they may be getting administered high medication dosages.

The time to act is now. Please prioritize scheduling an initial consultation with a skilled Miami slip & fall lawyer from the Law Offices of Gonzalo Funes, PA. We would be honored to represent you in your legal case.