Healthcare Facility Falls
You went in for care.
You should not leave with an injury.
When a patient is admitted to a healthcare facility, safety is part of the care they are supposed to receive.
Many patients are weak, medicated, disoriented, or recovering from surgery. They depend on nurses, attending physicians, and facility staff to recognize fall risks and provide the assistance they need.
When that does not happen, the consequences can be severe.
At The Powell Law Firm, we help patients and families hold healthcare facilities accountable when preventable injuries occur.
We represent patients and families after falls in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, hospice facilities, and other healthcare settings.
At The Powell Law Firm, we represent patients and families after serious falls in:
- Hospitals
- Rehabilitation facilities
- Skilled nursing facilities
- Nursing homes
- Hospice care centers
- Long term care facilities
We focus on cases involving preventable falls and the injuries that follow.
Never Events In Healthcare
Falls in healthcare facilities are often considered “never events.”
A never event is a serious incident that should not happen when proper care and safety procedures are followed.
When a patient falls, the first question is often straightforward:
What did the facility fail to do?
That may involve a failure to assess the patient’s risk, create a fall prevention plan, follow the plan, or respond when the patient needed help.
Common Injuries From Healthcare Facility Falls
Falls in healthcare settings can cause serious complications. Common injuries include:
Hip Fractures
Broken Arms and Wrists
Back and Spinal Injuries
Head Injuries & Traumatic Brain Injuries
Internal Bleeding
Increased Pain & Immobility
Complications that Extend Stay or Rehabilitation
Wrongful Death
For vulnerable patients, even a single fall can lead to a significant decline.
A Single Fall Can Lead to a Significant Decline
Who May Be Responsible
We investigate whether the facility and providers met the applicable standard of care. Depending on the circumstances, liability may involve:
01
The Hospital or Healthcare System
02
Doctors or Nursing Staff
03
Maintenance or Cleaning Crews
04
Third Party Contractors
What Damages May Be Available
Additional Medical Treatment Caused by the Fall
Rehabilitation and Therapy
Extended Hospital Stays or Nursing Care
Lost Income or Reduced Earning Ability
Pain and Suffering
Physical Impairment
Disfigurement
Future Care Needs
Our Approach
We take a detailed, medical-record-driven approach to healthcare facility fall cases. Our investigation may include reviewing:
Many of these cases resolve through mediation.
To prepare, we develop detailed case presentations that may include medical timelines, expert reports, damages analyses, and PowerPoint presentations that explain the case clearly.
When a fair resolution cannot be reached, we are prepared to present the case in court.
The PLF 360 Level of Care
Serious healthcare facility fall cases often require detailed damages analysis.
At The Powell Law Firm, we work with:
- Economists to calculate lost wages and future earning capacity
- Medical providers to explain treatment and prognosis
- Life care planners to project future medical needs and costs.
A life care plan may include future surgeries, therapy, medications, equipment, and long term assistance.
We also evaluate impairment, which addresses how the injury affects daily activities and independence.
This information is organized into detailed mediation presentations and PowerPoint summaries that clearly explain the value of the case.
Life Care Plans
Expert Damages
Trial vs. Mediation
