Given the circumstances, it’s not terribly surprising that many nursing home negligence cases involve similar fact patterns and types of injuries. Perhaps one of the most common fact patterns involves patients who sustain hip fractures after falling at a facility. Particularly in the elderly, falls and hip fractures can be particularly difficult given that many will face a long and painful road to recovery in addition to a loss of independence.
These commonly encountered facts were once again form the grounds of a recently filed nursing home negligence lawsuit filed against an Illinois Nursing Home. The lawsuit initiated by the patients son, alleges that Walnut Grove Village’s failure to supervise his elderly mother resulted her fall and subsequent hip fracture that required surgery.
The nursing home lawsuit further alleges that Walnut Grove Manor Nursing Home compounded the elderly woman’s problems when they failed to properly care for her following the surgery which resulted in her developing medical complications and bed sores.
According to news reports of the lawsuit, the facilities failure to provide post-surgical care resulted in the development of a decubitus ulcer on her heel which required hospitalization and surgery.
Sadly, like many nursing home patients who sustain a hip fracture and decubitus ulcers, the ensuing complications claimed the patient’s life.
Knowing the real risk of a substantial problems encountered by elderly patients involved in falls, nursing home must remain diligent in terms of prevent falls from initially occurring. Common fall precautions typically includes:
- Providing adequate assistance during transfers
- Assessing each patients ‘fall risk’
- Clearing floors of debris
- Reducing medication usage
- Encouraging patients to wear shoes instead of socks
- Educating staff on proper methods to assist patients
Related:
Some Medical Conditions Virtually Guarantee Elderly Of Falls In Nursing Homes
Medical Facilities Are Not Doing Enough To Prevent Pressure Ulcers On Patients’ Heels
Man files lawsuit against Walnut Grove, Morris Daily Herald April 21, 2011
Study Links Commonly Prescribed Osteoporosis Drugs To An Increase In Hip Fractures