Depending on a patient’s age, or any medical condition they may have, hospitals have a duty to ensure that risk assessments are carried out to properly care for the vulnerable, and those who are at risk of falling over.
A fall for a vulnerable patient can have serious consequences depending on their age and medical condition. In fact, they can ultimately lead to deaths…
Hospitals should have steps in place to ensure that the risk of a fall is minimal, and that they have done everything they can to ensure this. If they fail to do this, they can be rightly liable for a personal injury claim.
Some patients require extra care because of their age, because of a medical condition they have. However, if hospitals fail to provide the extra care some patients need in order to help prevent falls, they can be liable for damages.
The consequences of a fall
For the elderly, or those with medical conditions, a fall can have serious consequences. This can include broken bones leading to a prolonged stay in hospital, as well as head injuries which can lead to serious brain injuries. For those who are weaker, the problems that can be caused can be severe.
Just because a patient falls does not mean there will always be an injury. However, the falls that normally take place in a hospital can be avoidable, and if this is the case, there is the opportunity to claim compensation.
Common falls are often things like patients falling from getting in and out of their hospital beds; falling in a hospital bathroom; patients falling from trolleys or beds when sleeping; or falling from the toilet.
Falls can generally be avoided. Some patients require more care than others, and if there is a lack of nursing staff, a preventable fall can take place. Other reasons such as wet floors not being cleaned, loose cables, and risk assessments either not being implemented or carried out in the first place can lead to an avoidable fall as well.
Making a claim
If you or a loved one has suffered a fall in a hospital due to negligence on the hospital’s part, there may be compensation owed.
A fall can physically affect a person and can mean their hospital stay is prolonged – and let’s face facts, no one wants to be in hospital at all; let alone when they have to stay longer because of avoidable accidents!
If you or a loved one has suffered a fall that has resulted in further injury and perhaps a prolonged hospital stay, there may be a claim to make, so please feel free to contact The Injury Lawyers for free and friendly advice.