A Loved One Fell and Injured Themself at a Nursing Home? These Parties May Be Liable

When a loved one moves into a nursing home, there’s hope they’ll be well cared for, supported, and safe. But there’s also worry. What if something goes wrong?

Sadly, one of the most common and alarming incidents in nursing homes is a fall injury. These aren’t just small slips—they can lead to broken bones, head trauma, and even long-term disability. It’s a serious issue that can leave families asking, “How did this happen?” and “Who’s responsible?”

In moments like this, the nursing home abuse lawyers at Morris Law can be a valuable source of support and guidance. They understand how heartbreaking these situations can be and are dedicated to helping families uncover the truth behind what went wrong.

If your loved one has suffered a fall in a nursing home, knowing who may be legally responsible is a crucial step toward finding justice and making sure that it doesn’t happen again.

The Nursing Home Itself

In many cases, the nursing home may be directly responsible. They have a legal duty to provide a safe environment for every resident. This means keeping floors clear of hazards, installing handrails, maintaining adequate lighting, and making sure each resident is supervised according to their individual needs. If the facility failed to meet these standards—say they left a spill on the floor or didn’t staff enough aides to assist residents—then the nursing home can be held liable for the injury.

Additionally, if the facility didn’t have a proper fall prevention plan in place or failed to follow through with care recommendations from doctors, that could also point to negligence.

Staff Members

Sometimes, it’s not the whole facility at fault, but a specific staff member. Caregivers, nurses, or aides who are responsible for helping residents move, bathe, or use the restroom must do so with care and attention. If a staff member left a resident alone when they knew that person needed assistance or acted in a careless way that caused a fall, they could be held personally liable.

This is especially true in situations where a staff member ignored a resident’s call for help or didn’t follow the resident’s care plan. Staff negligence is a serious matter, and when it results in harm, accountability is essential.

Third-Party Contractors

Not everyone working in a nursing home is directly employed by the facility. Sometimes, third-party contractors—like cleaning crews, maintenance workers, or medical professionals—are brought in. If one of these contractors created a dangerous condition, such as leaving wires across a hallway or failing to fix a broken handrail, they might share some of the blame for the fall.

In these cases, liability can become more complex. Still, with a proper investigation, the role of third-party negligence can be clearly identified and addressed.

Equipment Manufacturers

Falls can sometimes happen due to faulty equipment.

For example, if a resident was using a walker, wheelchair, or bed rail that malfunctioned, the manufacturer of that equipment might be held responsible. Defective products in a care facility can be extremely dangerous and lead to severe injuries. If it’s proven that the equipment was poorly designed or manufactured, a product liability claim could come into play.

Conclusion

A fall in a nursing home is more than just an accident—it’s often a sign that something, somewhere, went very wrong. Understanding who may be liable can help families take action and protect their loved ones from further harm.

If your loved one has been injured in a nursing home, don’t ignore your concerns. Take the time to ask questions, gather information, and seek legal advice. It’s not just about compensation—it’s about safety, respect, and making sure our elders are treated with the care they deserve.