Whether they are dealing with physical limitations, cognitive decline, or a combination of both, elderly nursing home residents are especially likely to accidentally slip or trip and fall compared to the average person. Unfortunately, they are also especially likely to suffer long-lasting and potentially even life-threatening injuries from this type of accident, which is why it is so important for nursing home administrators to ensure their facilities are as safe as reasonably possible.
If you believe a nursing home staff member or owner did not do enough to prevent your loved one from getting hurt from a fall in a Nassau County nursing home, you may be able to seek financial compensation on your loved one’s behalf through a civil lawsuit. However, if you want a good chance of getting a good result from this sort of case, you need help from a nursing home abuse attorney who has handled similar claims successfully in the past.
Under premises liability law, landowners are expected to keep their property reasonably safe for lawful visitors and occupants by warning visitors of all known hazards, and then either cordoning off or fixing those hazards reasonably quickly after discovering them. Additionally, if a landowner benefits financially from a lawful visitor’s presence, which is the case with all residents of nursing homes, that landowner also has an obligation to inspect their property regularly for undiscovered hazards so they can act promptly to address them.
A Nassau County nursing home owner or employee may hold civil liability for a resident’s fall if they knew or should have known about a hazardous condition but did not take reasonable precautions to prevent that resident from being harmed by it. Establishing this through comprehensive evidence and expert testimony is one of many things a seasoned attorney can provide invaluable assistance with during this type of claim.
A skilled legal professional can also provide vital help with building and filing a strong claim over a Nassau County nursing home fall injury within the filing time limit set by the statute of limitations. As per New York Civil Practice Law & Rules § 214, most people who get hurt through another person’s negligence have a maximum of three years to file suit after initially sustaining harm.
The fact that this deadline exists does not mean it is impossible to recover civilly for long-term effects of a nursing home fall, such as future medical expenses and lost overall quality of life. It will be necessary to estimate the value of those damages and demand compensation for them well in advance of when they fully manifest. Legal representation can provide irreplaceable support by accounting for all losses.
Whether it stems from an unmarked slipping hazard, a broken or missing handrail, a lack of supervision, or any other cause, an unexpected fall inside a nursing home can quickly lead to serious injuries. Unfortunately, these kinds of accidents can also make for deceptively complex civil lawsuits, especially if you are not familiar with how state law approaches claims like this.
You have help available from a knowledgeable lawyer to get the best possible outcome from your unique case. Call today to discuss how you can proactively address falls in Nassau County nursing homes.
No. Our injury cases are handled on a contingent retainer. You pay nothing upfront, and we recover attorney’s fees only if your litigation is successful. We don’t bill by the hour. You don’t need to worry about running up a large attorney’s bill before you see any recovery for your injuries.
Yes. Our firm is dedicated to creating a strong relationship with our clients, beginning with keeping your information and consultation confidential.
Each case we encounter is carefully screened and evidence scrutinized to make sure the claim is meritorious and may be successful at trial. We will perform an investigation, and then our partners make a final decision on whether to take on a case.