Fall Injuries in Maryland Nursing Homes: When Is It Negligence?
Families place their loved ones in Baltimore nursing homes with the expectation that they will be cared for properly and with professionalism. Unfortunately, falls are common, can cause devastating injuries, and often could have been prevented but for the negligence of the nursing home.
Nursing homes are legally required to protect residents from harm, including falls caused by neglect or unsafe conditions. Our Maryland nursing home negligence lawyers work with families across Baltimore and explain how negligence is often to blame and steps to protect your rights in an injury claim.
Underlying Causes Of Fall Injuries In Baltimore Nursing Homes
According to the Maryland Department of Health, falls send thousands of older adults to emergency rooms yearly. In nursing homes, where residents often have limited mobility or balance issues, the risk is even higher.
Not all nursing home falls in Baltimore are accidents. Many result from reckless practices by nursing homeowners, administrators, or other employees. Common underlying causes in which the nursing home is negligent include:
- Lack of fall risk assessments or failure to develop a care plan;
- Inadequate supervision, especially during high-risk times like transfers or toileting;
- Cluttered walkways or poor lighting;
- Wet or slippery floors without warning signs;
- Faulty or missing handrails, bed rails, or mobility aids;
- Understaffing, leading to delayed response times or a lack of assistance;
- Failure to monitor medications that increase fall risk.
These conditions violate both state and federal regulations. If your loved one fell in a nursing home, look closely at the circumstances and whether the facility took proper precautions.
What to Do If Your Loved One Falls in a Baltimore Nursing Home
Under the Maryland Code, nursing homes are required to report potentially serious fall injuries and must allow families access to medical records. If you suspect negligence, steps you can take to protect your loved one and build a strong legal case include:
- Request an incident report and ask staff for a detailed explanation.
- Take photos of the scene, your loved one’s injuries, and any visible hazards.
- Ask for medical records related to the fall and the resident’s care plan.
- Document conversations with staff and note any changes in treatment or supervision.
- Get professional legal help as soon as possible.
Don’t let the facility dismiss or downplay what happened. While nursing homes are often quick to label a fall as an “accident,” our Maryland nursing home negligence lawyers can help uncover policy violations, interview witnesses, and hold the nursing home accountable.
To Protect Vulnerable Loved Ones, Contact Our Experienced Baltimore Nursing Home Negligence Lawyers Today
No one deserves to suffer due to neglect, especially vulnerable older adults. If your loved one was seriously injured in a fall at a Maryland nursing home, you may be entitled to compensation.
At Maryland Injury Lawyers, we will help you investigate what went wrong and take the legal actions necessary to hold those at fault accountable. Contact our office and request a consultation today with our experienced Baltimore nursing home negligence lawyers.
Sources:
health.maryland.gov/phpa/oehfp/injury/documents/eip-resource/fallsolderadults.pdf
health.maryland.gov/regs/Pages/10-07-020219-5111.aspx
