My name is Lisa Longo, and I am a partner at Morici, Longo & Associates. One of the areas I practice in is nursing home negligence, and unfortunately, we continue to see cases where vulnerable residents suffer preventable injuries.
Why falls are so common in long-term care
Falls are among the most common and most serious incidents in long-term care facilities. In many cases, a resident's fall risk is not properly assessed when they are admitted. In others, the assessment is completed, but the recommended precautions are not put in place or are not followed consistently.
Safety measures that can prevent falls
Nursing homes have a range of safety measures available to reduce the risk of falls, including:
- Lowering bed height
- Using bed alarms
- Ensuring appropriate supervision
- Placing higher-risk residents closer to the nurse's station
When those measures are not taken or not enforced, residents can suffer serious and sometimes life-altering injuries.
When a fall points to negligence
We have handled cases where a breakdown in basic supervision or a failure to follow care protocols resulted in significant harm, including fractures, head injuries, and a decline in overall health following a fall. These cases often turn on whether the facility recognized the risk and whether it took reasonable steps to address it. When those steps are not taken, it raises serious questions about whether the standard of care was met.
How we investigate these cases
At Morici, Longo & Associates, we carefully review facility records, care plans, and incident reports to understand what occurred and whether the nursing home met its obligations. Families are often left trying to make sense of how a preventable injury happened in a place that is supposed to provide care and protection. That is where our work begins.
If you believe a loved one was injured because of nursing home negligence or a preventable fall, our Chicago nursing home negligence attorneys are available to discuss the circumstances and help you understand your legal options. Call (312) 779-0366 for a free consultation.