A slip and fall can change an older adult’s health and independence in an instant. If your loved one fell in a long-term care facility, you may be wondering whether the incident was preventable or whether staff failed to provide appropriate assistance. A serious fall may also create new medical needs and raise concerns about the facility’s ability to care for your family member safely.
Falls in Chicago nursing homes may support a claim when neglect contributes to a resident’s injuries. A nursing home abuse attorney could review the circumstances, examine care records, and help you understand whether the facility or its staff may be legally responsible.
Older adults may face a greater risk of falling because of limited mobility or weakness, though medication effects and cognitive impairment can also affect balance or judgment. A facility should account for known risks when developing a resident’s care plan and should adjust precautions when the resident’s condition changes.
In Chicago, nursing homes should take reasonable steps to reduce falls when staff know that residents need assistance, like assisting with transfers or ensuring mobility devices are within reach. The Illinois Nursing Home Care Act provides that facility owners and staff may not neglect a resident.
The fact that a fall occurred does not by itself establish negligence. A lawyer may need to determine which risks the facility knew about before the incident and whether they responded reasonably.
Records created before and after a resident fell can help explain what happened. A care plan may show the level of assistance that staff should have provided, and a fall-risk assessments can show whether the facility recognized a danger before the injury occurred.
When a resident falls in a Chicago nursing home, an attorney may also review incident reports and medical records to compare written procedures with the care providers actually gave. Staffing documentation or witness accounts may help clarify whether assistance was available when it was necessary. Repeated incidents may also raise questions about whether the resident received reassessment after an earlier fall.
The Illinois Nursing Home Care Act states that an owner or licensee may be liable to a resident for an intentional or negligent act or omission by an employee or agent that causes injury. Whether that provision applies depends on the facts of the case.
A fall may cause a fracture or a head injury that requires additional treatment. Some residents experience reduced mobility after an injury and may need more help with daily activities, which can affect recovery and may lead to additional medical expenses.
Falls involving residents of nursing homes in Chicago can also lead to claims for pain and suffering when negligence causes the injury. The available damages depend on the nature of the harm and the legal basis for the claim. An injury lawyer could review medical documentation and other evidence to determine what losses may be recoverable.
Not every fall supports a legal claim. The central question is whether the facility failed to provide reasonable care and whether that failure caused the resident’s injury.
When a loved one sustains an injury in a care facility, you deserve clear information about what happened and whether the incident was preventable. Falls in Chicago nursing homes can involve difficult questions about supervision and compliance with a resident’s care plan.
McCready Law could review the available evidence and explain potential legal options. Contact an attorney today to schedule an initial consultation and discuss your loved one’s injury.
