It is not uncommon for a patient who is being treated in the hospital or an emergency room to fall. Some patients, based on their medical condition, are more at risk for falls. In addition, negligent maintenance of the hospital can lead to dangerous conditions that can make it more likely for a fall to occur. Even people visiting the hospital can fall due to an unsafe condition. There are a number of reasons why a fall can occur in a hospital or emergency room.
Patients Who Are Fall Risks
Sometimes, based on their medical condition, a patient is labeled a fall risk. For example, a patient who has undergone surgery on their hip may be extremely unsteady and require assistance with their mobility. Patients who are fall risks should be identified by medical personnel, and the risk should be communicated to the patient and staff. Fall risk patients should be given adequate assistance with ambulation in order to prevent falls. A failure to identify a patient as a fall risk is negligence and may be malpractice. In addition, the failure to provide proper assistance to a patient who is a fall risk can also be negligence.
Conditions in the Hospital That Can Lead to a Fall
Hospitals and emergency rooms are busy, sometimes chaotic, places. This does not excuse a facility from properly maintaining their premises in a safe condition. Some common dangerous conditions that can lead to falls in a hospital include:
- Broken staircases
- Missing handrails
- Debris on the floor
- Slippery substances on the floor
- Unsecured cords for medical equipment
- Broken hospital beds
- Cracked pavement in the parking lot
- Unsafe wheelchairs
If the hospital fails to maintain its premises in a reasonably safe condition and someone becomes injured as a result of a fall, the hospital may be held responsible in a premises liability claim. This would apply to visitors to the hospital as well as patients.
Contact an Experienced Injury Attorney
If you’ve been injured in a fall in a hospital or emergency room, you may want an experienced personal injury attorney on your side. At Bonina & Bonina, P.C., we’ve been helping New Yorkers injured in falls for over 50 years. Contact us online or call us at 1-888-MEDLAW1 to schedule your free consultation. Home and hospital visits are available. Se habla español.