Sonoma County Elder Fall Injury Claims: Seeking Legal Help for Neglect

In Sonoma County, from the residential care homes of Santa Rosa to the larger skilled nursing facilities in Petaluma and Sonoma, residents deserve a high standard of care. Unfortunately, "fall-related neglect" is a pervasive issue that robs seniors of their dignity and health. If your loved one suffered an injurious fall in a North Bay facility, it is vital to understand that California law provides specific, powerful protections against facility negligence.

The High Stakes of Fall-Related Injuries

The elderly are uniquely susceptible to severe injury from falls due to conditions like osteoporosis and frailty. Beyond the immediate physical pain, these incidents often trigger a "downward spiral" in health. In Sonoma County facilities, residents often experience:

• Fractured Extremities: Wrists, arms, and legs are frequently broken during attempts to "break" a fall.
• Spinal Injuries: Compression fractures in the spine can lead to chronic pain, loss of height, and even paralysis.
• Brain Injuries: A concussive blow to the head can cause brain injury including brain bleeding. Head injuries require immediate attention.
• Secondary Complications: When a fall makes a resident bedbound, they are at a much higher risk for developing pressure sores (bedsores) and pneumonia, both of which can be fatal.

When medical attention is delayed, the risk of death skyrockets. A Sonoma County nursing home fall lawyer often sees cases where a resident was left to lie in pain for hours because the staff feared the paperwork associated with an emergency room transfer. This delay is a form of medical neglect that can turn a treatable fracture into a terminal event.

The Core of the Problem: Failed Risk Assessments

Facilities in Sonoma County are legally required to assess each resident’s mobility and cognitive status. This assessment must be updated whenever there is a "change in condition." For example, if a resident is prescribed a new sedative or an anti-anxiety medication, the facility must recognize that the resident is now at a higher risk for falls and increase their supervision accordingly.

Failure to uphold these duties is neglect. Common examples of neglect we investigate include:

• Failing to respond to call lights causing a high fall risk resident to attempt to ambulate without assistance.
• Failing to provide a walker or cane that was ordered by a doctor.
• Leaving a resident unattended on a toilet or in the shower despite a "high-risk" designation.
• Failing to fix environmental hazards, such as torn carpeting or poor lighting in common areas.

Case Examples and Precedents

In many California cases, such as those investigated by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), facilities have been cited for "Failure to Monitor." For example, in one North Bay case, a resident with known dementia wandered out of a secure unit and fell down a flight of stairs. The court found that the facility’s failure to maintain a functioning door alarm constituted actionable neglect.

Contact a Sonoma County Nursing Home Fall Lawyer

Nursing Home Law Group has been representing individuals impacted by elder abuse and neglect for years. A Sonoma County nursing home fall lawyer can help you navigate the complexities of Title 22 violations and the Elder Abuse Act. Don't let a facility administrator claim the fall was "unavoidable" or just a part of aging. Consult with a Sonoma County nursing home fall lawyer to review the facility's history of safety citations. A dedicated Sonoma County nursing home fall lawyer will fight for the maximum compensation your family deserves for medical bills, pain, and suffering.

Is your family dealing with the aftermath of a fall? Call Nursing Home Law Group today to protect your loved one’s rights and investigate facility neglect.

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