Going to the hospital can be an overwhelming and scary experience, regardless of the cause. Unfortunately, many who are admitted to the hospital end up injured for a reason other than what they were originally being treated for. In fact, hospital falls happen far more often than many people realize. Older patients, in particular, are at a higher risk of slipping and falling in the hospital, which can result in serious, life-threatening injuries. While assuring patient safety is undoubtedly part of the responsibility of any medical or healthcare representative, this duty isn’t always fulfilled. Patient falls are considered a ‘never event’, meaning it is something that should never occur, as long as everyone does their job and all safety procedures are followed. That being said, the majority of hospital falls are 100% preventable by the hospital medical staff. Hospital falls are extremely serious and can lead to severe injuries in patients, or even prevent their ability to fully recover.
While accidents do happen from time to time, in the event you or a loved one suffered an injury following a fall in a hospital that could have been prevented, you may be entitled to compensation. Our Dallas lawyers are experienced at handling a wide range of hospital fall lawsuits and are prepared to walk you through your case today. Sure, it is not unheard of for people to lose their balance and take a spill, however, when a patient falls in a hospital and get hurts, it is oftentimes the fault of careless, negligent, or distracted hospital employees.
Common Causes of Hospital Falls
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately one-third of all adults over the age of 65 fall at least one time a year. In fact, some 2.5 million people were treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries from falls last year alone. Furthermore, falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries in older adults and about 23,000 older adults died from injuries sustained in falls last year. There are a range of environmental issues and other causes of hospital falls, including the following:
- Wet or slippery floor
- Furniture with wheels
- Inadequate lighting
- Furniture in halls or walkways
- Misplaced medical equipment
- Medications that affect a patient’s physical and mental capacity
- Changes in blood pressure
- Frequent elimination
- Problems with mobility
- Vision issues
According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, approximately 40% of all hospital falls are preventable. If you or a family member sustained an injury as the result of a fall that could have been prevented, you may be able to file a hospital lawsuit. The lawyers at Wormington & Bollinger are here to help you navigate the legal system and will do everything in our power to ensure justice is served.