San Francisco Nursing Home Fall Lawyers - Neglect and Prevention

The decision to move a loved one into a San Francisco skilled nursing facility or assisted living center is often based on the promise of 24-hour supervision and professional safety protocols. However, throughout the City, preventable falls remain a leading indicator of systemic neglect. When a facility fails to protect its most vulnerable residents from the hazards of falling, the results are often catastrophic.

At Nursing Home Law Group, we believe that no senior should suffer because a facility chose to prioritize profits over patient safety.

The Devastating Medical Reality of Elderly Falls

A fall in a clinical setting is rarely "just an accident." For the elderly, the physical toll of a fall is profound. Because of decreased bone density and the prevalence of chronic conditions, a single trip can trigger a permanent decline in health. Residents often suffer from:

• Hip and Pelvic Fractures: These injuries frequently require major surgery and often lead to a permanent loss of independence. For many seniors, a hip fracture is the beginning of the end of their mobility.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Many residents are on anticoagulant medications (blood thinners) for heart conditions. In these cases, even a minor bump to the head can cause a fatal brain bleed or subdural hematoma if not diagnosed immediately.
• Internal Organ Damage and Internal Bleeding: Impact can cause blunt force trauma to the abdomen or chest, leading to complications that are difficult to detect without hospital-grade imaging.
• Soft Tissue and "Degloving" Injuries: Fragile skin can be literally stripped from the limb during a fall or a clumsy attempt by staff to "catch" a resident.

Tragically, these falls frequently lead to death. This is especially true when a facility fails to seek medical attention right away. If a resident is simply "tucked back into bed" without a proper neurological assessment or an X-ray, internal injuries can go unnoticed until the resident becomes unresponsive.

The Facility’s Legal Duty to Assess and Protect

Under California Code of Regulations Title 22, San Francisco facilities have a non-negotiable legal mandate to perform a comprehensive "Fall Risk Assessment" for every resident upon admission. This is not a clerical formality; it is a life-saving protocol. A facility has a duty to:

1. Identify High-Risk Factors: They must recognize risks such as dementia, prior history of falls, vision impairment, and medications that cause orthostatic hypotension (dizzy spells when standing).
2. Implement a Personalized Care Plan: This includes interventions such as bed alarms, "low-profile" beds with floor mats, non-slip footwear, and specific supervision levels during high-risk times, such as late-night bathroom trips.
3. Update Assessments Constantly: A care plan must be a "living document." If a resident’s health changes—or if they experience a "near-miss" stumble—the facility must immediately re-assess and increase safety measures.

Why Fall Neglect Occurs in San Francisco

Neglect in San Francisco facilities often stems from chronic understaffing. When there aren't enough Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) on the floor to answer call lights, a resident may attempt to walk to the bathroom unassisted. This "failure to assist" is a primary cause of litigation. Furthermore, many facilities fail to properly maintain equipment, such as ensuring wheelchair brakes work or that hallways are free of clutter and spills.

Legal Recourse and Representation

If your loved one was injured, you need an advocate who understands the local San Francisco landscape. A San Francisco nursing home fall lawyer from our team can subpoena staffing records and internal "unusual occurrence" reports to find the truth. By hiring a San Francisco nursing home fall lawyer, you hold the facility accountable for their failures and help prevent similar tragedies from happening to other families. Our San Francisco nursing home fall lawyer experts are dedicated to investigating allegations of abuse and neglect to ensure your family receives justice.

Nursing Home Law Group has been representing individuals impacted by elder abuse and neglect for years, ensuring that negligent corporations are held to the standards required by California law.

Would you like Nursing Home Law Group to begin an investigation into your loved one’s fall? Contact us today for a free consultation.

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