Hospital Patient Fall Injury

Hospital patient falls are classified as never events resulting from preventable lapses in care. These incidents can lead to serious injuries like fractures and head trauma, often prolonging recovery times. Hospitals are responsible for maintaining a safe environment, but when they fail, patients bear the consequences. A Prince George’s County hospital patient fall injury lawyer at Foran & Foran, P.A. can review these cases, identifying failures in safety protocols that contributed to the injury. Compensation can help address medical expenses and related losses for patients affected by such falls.

If you or a loved one has suffered a preventable fall injury in a hospital, securing legal guidance is essential. The attorneys at Foran & Foran are dedicated to helping patients hold negligent parties accountable. Like other serious incidents such as surgical errors, preventable falls have lasting impacts, and pursuing justice can improve patient safety. Contact Foran & Foran today to learn about your rights and options.

Although hospitals have implemented measures to reduce fall risks, patient falls remain a persistent issue. Recent data highlights the frequency and impact of these incidents:

• Incidence and injury rates. Roughly 2% of hospitalized patients experience at least one fall. Of these, around 25% result in injury, with approximately 10% leading to severe injuries such as fractures or head trauma. Inpatient falls are a serious issue that impacts patient quality of life, creating both physical and emotional burdens.
• Patient mortality and injury rates. Falls in hospital settings account for up to 11,000 deaths each year. Given the vulnerable state of many patients, even a single fall can lead to fatal complications. For this reason, hospitals must implement effective measures to prevent falls, especially for patients who may be at higher risk due to age, medical conditions, or medications.

These statistics reveal the ongoing need for hospitals to strengthen their fall prevention programs. Preventable falls affect patient health and indicate lapses in care standards.

Patient falls in hospitals lead to significant harm that extends beyond physical injuries. These falls place heavy physical, emotional, and financial burdens on patients and healthcare systems.

Patients who suffer fall-related injuries often require longer hospital stays to recover. This extended time leads to additional healthcare costs, which the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) no longer reimburse. Hospitals are thus financially pressured to improve fall prevention, but patients still bear the cost of prolonged recovery.

For patients, fall-related injuries lead to increased medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and, in some cases, lost wages if the patient cannot return to work. This burden is even heavier for families when long-term care or assisted living is needed, further emphasizing why fall prevention is essential.

In addition to the financial strain, falls lead to a loss of independence and a decline in quality of life, especially among elderly patients. Medical malpractice cases address these issues, allowing patients to seek compensation for the harm caused by preventable hospital falls. Moreover, in some cases, families of fall victims may pursue a medical malpractice wrongful death claim.

Falls are most likely to occur in certain patient populations. Identifying these groups helps underscore the importance of tailored prevention programs within healthcare facilities.

• Older adults. Due to physical frailty and age-related conditions, older adults are more likely to fall. Medications that impact balance and cognition further increase this risk, making fall prevention for elderly patients critical.
• Patients on certain medications. Sedatives, pain medications, and medications that affect blood pressure can impair balance and increase the risk of falling. Hospitals may be liable if they fail to account for these risks when managing patient care and mobility.
• Patients with limited mobility. Patients who rely on mobility aids or require assistance to move are at an elevated risk for falls. Ensuring these patients receive proper support is essential to reducing injury rates.

Hospitals must identify at-risk individuals and provide additional safety measures to protect them from falls. When these precautions are not taken, patients face preventable harm that warrants legal accountability.

Hospital falls are classified as "never events" because they are preventable and shouldn’t happen. However, when healthcare providers are negligent, patients can fall and, in some cases, these falls can result in tragic injuries. Foran & Foran is here to help patients and families impacted by these avoidable injuries hold hospitals accountable. We understand how devastating these incidents can be and are dedicated to helping you seek justice. To learn more and to schedule a free consultation today, give Foran & Foran's Prince George's County medical malpractice lawyers a call at (301) 441-2022. We proudly represent clients in Hyattsville, Bowie, Upper Marlboro, Waldorf, La Plata, Silver Spring, Rockville, and the surrounding areas.