Updated: Feb 3, 2025
Falls are a major threat to older adults—one in four experiences a fall each year, sending more than three million seniors to the ER. In nursing homes, where residents rely on staff for mobility support and supervision, falls are the leading cause of serious injuries and deaths.
Most nursing home fall injuries are preventable with proper care. But when facilities are understaffed, poorly trained, or neglect safety protocols, residents face life-changing risks that could have been avoided.
If your loved one suffers a preventable fall, you have the right to seek compensation. Learn the risks of nursing home falls when facilities can be held liable, and how a nursing home falls lawyer can help you fight for your family member’s safety and dignity.
Facts About Falls in the Elderly
Adults 65 and older are at the highest risk for falls and the serious injuries that can follow. Here are some facts about falls in the U.S.:
- In 2022, 40,919 adults aged 65 and older died from preventable falls.
- One in 10 falls leads to an injury requiring medical attention or limiting daily activity.
- Falls account for about one million hospitalizations among older adults each year.
- The fall-related death rate among older adults increased by 41% from 2012 to 2021.
- Over the past 10 years, fall-related deaths among older adults have risen by 60%, while emergency room visits have increased by 43%.
- In California, 27.1% (1,443,956) of older adults fell in 2020. In 2021, there were 2,347 deaths due to falls in California.
- About half of nursing home residents fall at least once per year.
- Nearly 7% of residents suffer fall-related injuries, including hip fractures and head trauma.
What Is Considered a Fall in a Nursing Home?
Falls in nursing homes happen when a resident loses balance and hits the floor or another surface, like bathroom tiles or hallway flooring. They often occur when a resident changes positions, such as standing up, walking, or transferring between a bed, wheelchair, or chair.
While some fall injuries result from residents trying to walk without assistance or reaching too far for an object, many are caused by preventable issues. Lack of supervision, missing safety features like guardrails or grab bars, and hazards such as wet floors or poor lighting are common causes.
Understanding why these falls happen and when they could have been prevented can help families hold nursing homes accountable.
Injuries From Falls in Nursing Homes
Nursing home falls can cause severe injuries that affect a resident’s mobility, health, and overall quality of life. Common injuries include:
- Fractures. Broken bones, especially in the hip, wrist, or spine, are common and can result in long recovery periods or permanent disability.
- Head injuries. Falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBI), including concussions or brain bleeds. These injuries may lead to cognitive decline, long-term complications, or even death.
- Internal injuries. The force from a fall can damage internal organs, leading to dangerous bleeding that may not be immediately obvious.
- Soft tissue injuries. Sprains, bruises, and torn ligaments can cause pain, reduce mobility, and limit a resident’s ability to stay active.
- Skin tears and pressure sores. Fragile skin is easily damaged during a fall, increasing the risk of bedsores, infections, and slow-healing wounds.
- Emotional and psychological trauma. Fear of falling again can cause anxiety, depression, and loss of independence, often accelerating physical and mental decline.
These injuries aren’t just physical—they can affect a resident’s sense of safety, independence, and well-being.
What Causes a Nursing Home Fall?
Falls in nursing homes happen for a variety of reasons, including physical conditions, environmental hazards, and inadequate care. Below are some of the most common causes of nursing home falls:
| Cause | Explanation | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Muscle Weakness or Balance Issues | Age-related decline and medical conditions make movement difficult. | Arthritis Neurological disorders History of strokes |
| Medication Side Effects | Some drugs cause dizziness, drowsiness, or loss of coordination. | Sedatives Blood pressure meds Opioids |
| Unsafe Environment | Poor facility conditions increase fall risks. | Uneven flooring Poorly placed furniture Torn carpeting |
| Lack of Mobility Aids or Support | Missing or inaccessible safety equipment makes movement harder. | No grab bars Poorly fitted walkers Lack of bed rails |
| Unassisted Transfers | Moving between a bed, wheelchair, or toilet without proper support increases fall risk. | No staff present Improper lifting techniques |
| Staff Neglect or Understaffing | Delayed or insufficient assistance leaves residents vulnerable to falls. | Ignored call buttons Delayed assistance |
Can You Sue a Nursing Home for a Fall?
Nursing homes are required to follow strict safety standards, including providing mobility assistance and keeping walkways hazard-free. When they fail to meet these nursing home fall protocols and a resident is injured, families have the right to file a complaint and take legal action.
The California Elder Abuse Act protects residents by requiring nursing homes to maintain safe conditions and prevent neglect or harm. If a facility fails in its duty of care, families can hold them accountable through legal action.
Here are a few situations where you may be able to sue a nursing home for your loved one’s injuries:
- Failure to supervise high-risk residents. The facility knew a resident was prone to falls but left them unattended, leading to injury.
- Negligent hiring or training. The nursing home employed unqualified staff or failed to train caregivers on proper fall prevention and resident care.
- Understaffing led to harm. A lack of caregivers forced a resident to move without assistance, resulting in a fall.
- Ignoring known fall risks. The facility failed to assess or implement safety measures for a resident with mobility issues or medication side effects.
- Unsafe conditions. Hazards like broken flooring, spills, or poor lighting were left unaddressed, creating a preventable danger.
- Improper restraints or positioning. Staff misused bed rails, left wheelchairs unsecured, or placed residents in unsafe positions, leading to falls.
- Physical abuse or rough handling. A caregiver pushed, shoved, or dropped a resident, causing them to fall and suffer injuries.
When nursing homes fail to protect their residents, families have options. If your loved one suffered a preventable fall, seeking legal guidance can help you hold the facility accountable and pursue the compensation they deserve.
What To Do When a Resident Falls in a Nursing Home
Watching a loved one suffer from a fall in a nursing home can be heartbreaking, especially when it could have been prevented. In moments like these, knowing what steps to take can make a difference in protecting their health and ensuring their rights are upheld.
- Get immediate medical attention. Even if the nursing home downplays the incident, insist on a thorough evaluation by your loved one’s doctor or an independent hospital. Some injuries, like internal bleeding or head trauma, may not be immediately visible.
- Ask for details about the fall. Talk to staff members and witnesses to understand exactly when, where, and how the fall occurred. Take notes on their accounts to compare with official reports later.
- Request the incident report. Nursing homes are required to document falls. Request a copy of the incident report and review it carefully for missing information or inconsistencies with what the staff told you.
- Look for signs of neglect. Examine the environment for hazards like wet floors, poor lighting, broken equipment, or missing mobility aids that could have contributed to the fall.
- Document injuries and the scene. Photograph any visible injuries and unsafe conditions in the room or common areas.
- Ask about care plan changes. The nursing home should update your loved one’s care plan after a fall to prevent it from happening again. Ask what new safety measures, such as increased supervision or mobility support, are being implemented.
- Report suspected negligence. If you believe staff ignored safety protocols or failed to respond appropriately, file a formal complaint with the nursing home and report the incident to state agencies such as the California Department of Public Health or Adult Protective Services (APS).
- Consider legal action if necessary. If neglect or abuse contributed to the fall, consult an experienced nursing home fall lawyer. They can investigate the incident, help you file a nursing home fall lawsuit to hold the facility responsible and seek damages for medical bills, physical therapy, and other losses.
Take Action To Protect Your Loved One in a California Nursing Home
Nursing home fall prevention is critical to ensuring the safety and well-being of residents in California’s long-term care facilities. While proper staffing and regular safety checks can reduce the risk of falls, neglect or inadequate care can lead to serious, preventable injuries. When this happens, you have the right to hold the facility accountable.
Contact a knowledgeable nursing home fall attorney at Gharibian Law for a free consultation to explore your legal options and get the guidance you need to support your elderly loved one.
