Five Things To Mention To The Doctor After A Loved One Falls In A Nursing Home

According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 100 to 200 falling incidents are reported every year by average-sized nursing homes that have approximately 100 beds. Falls for the elderly are particularly devastating. Recovery takes much longer and in some cases, it can even take years. Other times tragically, seniors never recover from a fall.

If your loved one has fallen while staying inside a nursing home, it does not necessarily mean it was caused by neglect or abuse. Still, it is critical that you make sure your loved one sees a doctor soon afterwards to determine if abuse or neglect caused the fall. Below, our Tampa falling incidents attorney outlines five important things to mention to the doctor if your loved one has fallen.

The Medication Your Loved One is Taking

If you file a nursing home abuse claim against any facility, they are going to fight back against it. They will likely even use your loved one’s own medical history against them. Review the medications your loved one is currently taking with the doctor to eliminate the possibility that any one of them has side effects that could result in a fall.

Your Loved One’s Vision

For seniors who cannot see properly, the risk of falling is much greater. As people age, their vision also generally becomes worse. However, this does not mean that poor vision caused the fall. Ask your loved one’s doctor to check their vision to determine that it was not the cause of the fall. Even if it was, it does not necessarily mean the facility is not liable. For example, a staff member could have left debris in a hallway that your loved one could not see.

Ask for a Blood Test

Blood tests can determine if another health condition caused your loved one’s fall. Abnormal kidney function and imbalanced sodium levels are just two of these. Ask the doctor to take a blood sample from your loved one to rule out these conditions.

Confirm Underlying Medical Conditions

If you file a claim against a nursing home, they may argue that your loved one’s injuries are not from the fall, but from an underlying medical condition. Even if your loved one does suffer from a medical condition, you can still hold the nursing home liable for any abuse or neglect that exacerbated it.

Tell the Doctor About the Suspected Abuse

If you suspect that your loved one fell as a result of nursing home neglect or abuse, it is critical that you tell the doctor about your suspicions. Once you have told the doctor, they will include it in your loved one’s medical records, which can be used as evidence in your case.

Our Falling Incidents Attorney in Tampa Can Advise On Your Case

If your loved one has fallen while in a nursing home, it is important that you speak to our Tampa falling incidents attorney at Kohn Law today. Our seasoned attorney can help you determine if abuse occurred, and advise on the next steps to take to protect your loved one. Call us now at 813-428-8504 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.

Sources:

cdc.gov/falls/facts.html

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0400/0400.html