A simple fall can be life changing, but for the many elderly Sarasota area residents, a fall can be devastating. The risk of falling not only becomes more probable as we age, but the injury incurred during those falls can increase dramatically as well. A new study has indicated that when senior citizens residing in long-term care facilities fall, more than a third suffer head injuries in the process.
If your loved one lives in a Sarasota area assisted living facility and has had a head injury, do you have a case?
How Head Injuries Happen
Many things can cause a senior citizen to fall. Failing eyesight and reflexes can cause one to be unsteady, as can diabetes, heart disease or thyroid disease. Problems with nerves or blood vessels, especially in the legs and feet, can affect balance; and medications may also induce dizziness or drowsiness. For seniors in assisted living, confusion and dementia can also lend to falling.
In the recent research, it was discovered that an alarming number of falls taken by senior citizens resulted in the resident or patient striking their head on the floor, wall, or a piece of furniture. In fact, of the hundreds of falls analyzed, 37% of seniors suffered some level of head injuries. This is in contrast to younger people, who rarely hit their heads in the course of a fall. This may be due to better reflexes (able to break their fall more capably) or clarity of mind.
Other reasons posited by the experts as to why seniors suffered such high rates of head injury included “ineffective arm placement; non-optimal muscle tone or muscle activation at impact; and insufficient strength in upper-limb, neck and trunk muscles”. (Source MedicineNet.com)
Findings in the study suggest a various ideas for improvement, including age-and-ability-appropriate strength training exercises and more frequent checks for the symptoms which may cause falls.
Liability of Assisted Living Facilities
While it is true that we are all more prone to injury as we age, part of the fee paid to an assisted living or adult resident facility is allocated to caring for your loved one and keeping them safe.
Residents of assisted living facilities are not watched 24 x 7, and do not have constant companions. Dizziness or falls may happen that reflect no negligence on the part of the residence home. However, there may be instances when the proper standard of care was not provided to your loved one. Examples may include if there are floor coverings which have become loose and may cause tripping; if adequate grabs bars are not provided to reflect the resident’s vulnerabilities; or if a resident who calls for assistance is not attended to in a prompt manner.
If your loved one has suffered a head injury or some other injury which you feel may have been caused by the negligence of the nursing home staff or by unsafe premises, call a Sarasota personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. The attorneys at Probinsky & Cole have the expertise and experience you need to ascertain the best course of action based upon the circumstances of your case. No matter what your question regarding personal injury law in the Sarasota nd Bradenton area, give us a call.
