Falling Out of Wheelchair Injuries in Michigan Nursing Homes

Our Michigan nursing home neglect attorneys often handle cases involving residents who are injured from falling out of a wheelchair.  A fall can happen when a patient tries to self-transfer, slides down the chair, or leans forward and fall out of the chair.  These falls can be prevented with appropriate and proven methods along with proper supervision from the nursing home staff.

Many residents are at a high risk for falling based upon a number of different medical conditions.  The nursing home staff must assess the resident for the risk of falling both upon admission and throughout the entire stay at the facility.  Residents who have already fallen either at home or at the facility are even at a higher risk for additional falls.

In addition to falls while walking or falling out of bed, many serious injuries and deaths occur from residents falling out of a wheelchair.  Due to poor balance, the tendency to lean forward, and other factors, these types of incidents are unfortunately all too common.  There are proven ways to prevent wheelchair falls from occurring that can be implemented by the nursing home staff, including:

• Providing the resident with a properly fitted wheelchair with raised foot pedals
• Providing the resident with a pad to shift he weight toward the back of the chair
• Using a lap belt or “Lap Buddy” when a patient is at high risk and is not being supervised by the staff
• Using a chair alarm to alert the staff if the resident is attempting to get out of the chair
• Providing 1:1 supervision when the patient is in the wheelchair
• Placing the resident in bed when he or she is tired or fatigued

The injuries caused by falling from a wheelchair are serious and often deadly.  Many of these fall result in fractured and broken bones, often requiring surgery and significant medical treatment.  Other times, the patient may suffer an injury to the head resulting in a brain bleed or traumatic brain injury and can cause immediate or resulting death.  In those cases, we file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the surviving family members.

Individuals who suffer injuries due to a fall in a nursing home in a wheelchair accident do have legal rights. Many of times, the fall is caused due to the negligent care of the nurse or caregiver, not enough supervision, or environmental hazards. If the resident falls due to those circumstances or any other negligent act from a nurse or caregiver in a Michigan nursing home, it can give rise to a Michigan nursing home abuse and neglect lawsuit.

If your loved one suffered from injuries from falling from a wheelchair in a Michigan nursing home, you should contact our office immediately. Our Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. law firm will investigate the cause of the accident and start working on your case immediately to get you answers. Call us now at (800) 606-1717 for your Free, No Obligation Case Review and to speak with one of our experienced Michigan nursing home neglect attorneys about your case.