Falls in assisted living facilities and nursing homes often result in severe injuries. For example, brain injuries, broken bones and hip fractures occur often after nursing home falls. Thus, it is crucial that elder care staff make safety a top priority. They should look for ways to prevent falls in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
Yet, despite concerns for safety, Wisconsin nursing home residents fall at higher percentages than the rest of the nation. Why are fall rates in Wisconsin nursing homes increasing? One reason is due to a lack of reporting. Wisconsin nursing homes must report abuse and neglect cases. They often do not. Thus, they avoid any consequences for neglecting patient care.
So, how do you prevent nursing home falls in Wisconsin? Simply put, nursing homes must prioritize safety. Here are some ways we can motivate them to do this.
Wisconsin nursing homes often fail to report incidents of abuse or neglect to the state health department. Many of these unreported cases involve nursing home falls. If this happens to you or a family member, then you have options. First, you can file a complaint with the state health department. They will investigate your complaint. If they find evidence of abuse or neglect, then the nursing home may receive some sort of punishment.
Next, you can file a civil lawsuit. Filing a lawsuit may seem like a huge hassle. Yet, it is important to hold nursing homes and assisted living facilities accountable for their negligent behavior. Our Milwaukee nursing home neglect lawyers can help you file a lawsuit. We will guide you throughout each stage of the legal process.
The number of nursing home inspectors in Wisconsin has decreased by 36 percent. As such, it should come as no surprise that nursing home falls are both underreported and insufficiently investigated. This is a huge problem since Wisconsin could have up to 1.3 million residents over the age of 65 by 2030. Thus, the number of nursing home abuse and neglect cases will inevitably increase.
Have you or a family member suffered an injury due to a nursing home fall? If so, then you may have grounds for a lawsuit. Contact Martin Law Office, S.C. today at (414) 856-4010 to schedule a free consultation. You can also reach out to us through our online contact form. We are currently offering consultations through telephone or video conferencing. Call today!
