Can You Sue a Nursing Home for a Fall?
Many nursing home falls aren’t accidents — they happen when staff fail to provide the supervision and care residents need to stay safe. Facilities are required to check each resident’s fall risk and take steps to prevent injuries.
When a nursing home fails to fulfill their basic duties and a resident is injured, the family may be able to sue the facility. A nursing home falls lawsuit allows families to seek answers and hold the home accountable for negligence.
Approximately 50% of residents in long-term care facilities fall each year, and about 1 in 10 will suffer a serious injury as a result, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
If you or someone you love suffered a nursing home fall due to a facility's neglect, our nursing home fall lawyers may be able to help you pursue compensation for medical bills, the pain and suffering endured, and more.
At Sokolove Law, we have over 45 years of experience standing up to nursing homes. Our team can investigate what happened and fight hard for everything you deserve. Your family shouldn’t have to carry the burden of a preventable injury alone.
Since 1979, our nursing home abuse lawyers have secured over $318 Million for clients nationwide.
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Why Are Nursing Homes Liable for Falls?
Nursing home falls often occur when facilities don’t properly supervise residents or provide them with a safe environment. Many of these issues stem from preventable breakdowns in basic care.
When facilities don't identify fall risks or act on them, preventable injuries can occur — and that may be considered nursing home neglect. A nursing home can be held accountable for a fall if the incident could have been avoided with reasonable care.
Common causes of nursing home falls include:
- Dangerous conditions: Wet floors, dim lighting, cluttered rooms, loose cords, and unstable furniture all increase the likelihood of falls.
- Inadequate fall-risk assessments: Facilities may skip required assessments or fail to update a resident’s care plan after a change in condition.
- Incomplete care plans: When a care plan doesn't include proper fall prevention protocols, residents are left vulnerable.
- Medication mismanagement: Sedatives, antipsychotics, and other drugs can cause dizziness, confusion, or weakness when improperly prescribed or monitored. This includes improper use of chemical restraints.
- Poor monitoring: Residents who need assistance walking, standing, or getting out of bed may fall when staff fail to check in regularly.
- Understaffing: Too few caregivers means residents wait longer for help, attempt to move on their own, or are rushed during transfers and bathroom trips.
- Unsafe equipment: Broken or malfunctioning equipment, like faulty bed rails or unstable wheelchairs, can cause a resident to fall.
While protocols, training, and emergency planning all play a role in resident safety, adequate staffing remains the single most important factor in preventing fall injuries, according to AARP.
“Families need to ask: How many people are here to provide care and keep residents safe? Without enough trained staff, falls and emergencies quickly turn dangerous.”
– Lori Smetanka, National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care
Unexplained or Unwitnessed Fall in a Nursing Home
One of the clearest red flags of neglect is an unexplained or unwitnessed fall. These incidents often signal gaps in supervision or a failure to monitor residents appropriately.
Unwitnessed falls are common in understaffed or poorly supervised facilities. When staff can’t account for how or when a resident fell, it’s often a sign that monitoring, check-ins, or assistance weren't provided as required.
Unwitnessed falls may indicate:
- Staff were not present or attentive
- Supervision logs or care plans weren’t followed
- The facility failed to monitor a high-risk resident
- The resident attempted to move without help because call lights weren’t answered
Facilities must document what happened, notify families, and provide medical evaluation right away. When a fall is unwitnessed, families may still have legal options. Our nursing home fall attorneys can investigate what happened and work to hold those responsible accountable.
Call (800) 995-1212 now to see if you may be able to seek a nursing home falls settlement. It costs nothing to speak with us.
Nursing Home Injuries Due to Falls & Negligence
Falls in nursing homes can cause life-changing injuries, especially for older adults with fragile bones or underlying health conditions. These injuries often require hospitalization, surgery, or long-term rehabilitation — and some can even be fatal.
Injuries from nursing home falls may include:
- Broken arms or legs, often caused by trying to brace during a fall
- Hip fractures, which may require surgery and increase the risk of death
- Internal bleeding, especially after blunt impact
- Pelvic fractures, which can lead to long-term mobility issues
- Traumatic brain injuries, including subdural hematomas from hitting the head
- Spinal injuries, like vertebral fractures or nerve damage
- Wrongful death, particularly in cases involving brain trauma or complications after surgery
About 10% of residents who have a fall experience a serious injury, and about 65,000 suffer a hip fracture, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
These injuries can leave residents facing painful recoveries, permanent disabilities, or life-threatening complications. Residents may experience a lower quality of life and have difficulty engaging in activities they enjoyed before the fall.
When a fall happens because a facility failed to provide proper care or supervision, families may be able to file a nursing home fall lawsuit to pursue compensation for medical costs, long-term care needs, and other damages.
“With the number of seniors expected to rise over the next decade, this neglect will likely rise unless lawyers can make it financially painful enough for these companies to have to stop.”
– Ricky LeBlanc, Managing Attorney at Sokolove Law
Nursing Home Slip & Fall Cases
When proper safety measures aren’t in place, a fall in a care facility can quickly turn dangerous. Families often discover that injuries labeled as “accidents” were actually preventable and that the facility failed to keep their loved one safe.
Across the country, regulatory agencies and families have taken action in cases where residents were seriously harmed or died after avoidable falls.
The nursing home slip and fall cases below show how these incidents unfold, the warning signs that are often overlooked, and how justice has been served.
Family Sues Ohio Facility for Fatal Nursing Home Fall
In November 2025, the family of 93-year-old Roger Andrews filed a lawsuit against Avenue at Aurora Care and Rehabilitation Center in Ohio after Andrews passed away from injuries sustained in a fall.
The facility reportedly identified Andrews as a high fall risk and determined he should have staff supervision at all times. Despite this, proper precautions weren’t implemented, and he fell 3 times within his first 5 days at Avenue at Aurora.
After falling face-first from his wheelchair for a final time, Andrews sustained a brain bleed and broken neck before passing away.
$14 Million Nursing Home Fall Verdict for the Death of a Patient
In Pennsylvania, Diana Dawson, a 74-year-old Alzheimer's patient, fell from her bed while under one-to-one supervision from a Bayada Home Health Care aide. A video shown at trial captured the aide standing over Dawson after the fall without providing assistance or checking for injuries.
Dawson fractured her pelvis and rapidly declined over the next month, experiencing severe pain and refusing food. She died 29 days later. Her family claimed the aide’s failure to supervise and respond appropriately caused her injuries to worsen.
After the trial, a Philadelphia jury awarded Dawson’s children $14 Million, including $10 Million in wrongful death damages. Jurors found the aide’s conduct negligent and rejected the agency’s claim that the fall went unwitnessed.
Fatal Nursing Home Shower Fall Leads to Fine
In August 2025, the Allen Place Assisted Living Center in Atlantic, Iowa was fined $10,000 after a resident died following a fall in a shower. He had been left alone without a non-skid bathmat, even though he required assistance while standing and showering.
The staff member assigned to help had been on the job for only a month and admitted he had not been properly trained. Within a minute of the resident entering the shower, he slipped, fell, and sustained a fatal head injury, according to reports.
State inspectors cited the facility for lack of staff training, failure to follow safety protocols, and inadequate supervision, all of which were determined to have contributed to the resident’s death.
Rehab Center Decertified After Multiple Fall Injuries
In August 2025, Princess Anne Health and Rehabilitation Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia became one of the few U.S. nursing homes to be federally decertified after repeated incidents where residents suffered serious fall injuries and inadequate bedsore care.
In one incident, a resident with a history of wandering was found bleeding heavily in their room after an unwitnessed fall. Inspectors found that staff didn't apply a required wander-guard bracelet, monitor her whereabouts, or call emergency services in a timely manner.
Inspectors also reported that another resident was found bruised and lying on the hot asphalt outside the facility, suffering a severe head injury. Staff had failed to assess whether he was safe to walk outside alone, leading to a lapse in supervision.
Ohio Nursing Home Fall Lawsuit
An Ohio nursing home fall lawsuit against Majestic Care of Fairfield claims the facility failed to protect 87-year-old Shirley Browning, a dementia patient at high risk of falling.
According to the suit, Browning suffered 3 falls in the facility. After her first fall, staff allegedly waited almost 24 hours before performing X-rays.
Following her third fall, Browning was hospitalized with 8 broken ribs, a pelvic fracture, and extensive bruising. She was later placed on hospice and passed away.
“When she got to [the hospital], the doctors assessed her and told my brother and I, there’s nothing we can do for her here. She looks like she has been in a serious car accident, and she needs to be transported to a trauma unit.”
– Jennifer Rogers, Daughter of Shirley Browning
Iowa Nursing Home Fall Lawsuit Filed by Resident in Wheelchair
In February 2025, an 88-year-old woman suffered severe injuries after falling down 13 concrete stairs while seated in her wheelchair. The resident allegedly entered a restricted kitchen area after a staff member had propped open a door that should have been closed.
Elaine Gunderson of Battle Creek, Iowa sued Odebolt Specialty Care and the facility’s owners for negligence and breach of contract, alleging that staff failed to properly supervise her and failed to maintain safe conditions.
There are at least 14 other lawsuits pending against Care Initiatives and the facility’s owners — 13 of which involve wrongful death, according to reports.
$6 Million Verdict for Repeated Nursing Home Falls
An Iowa jury awarded $6 Million to the family of Darlene Weaver, finding that Timely Mission Nursing Home in Buffalo Center failed to protect her from repeated falls. Weaver died at age 83 after a fall that fractured her hip and shoulder. The facility allegedly failed to implement precautions despite her history of falls.
The complaint also accused the nursing home of mismanaging medications and ignoring reports that a staff member had been verbally and physically abusive to residents, including Weaver.
Many nursing home falls are not unavoidable accidents, but the result of inadequate care, poor supervision, or ignored safety risks. If your loved one was injured in a fall at a nursing home, you may be able to take legal action.
Get Justice for Negligence
Our nursing home attorneys can work to find out what happened to your loved one and help you understand your options.
How to File a Nursing Home Fall Lawsuit
Filing a nursing home fall lawsuit can help families pursue compensation and justice for the harm their loved one suffered. A nursing home fall injury attorney can handle all the legal work, so you can focus on your loved one's health and recovery.
A nursing home falls lawyer at Sokolove Law can:
- Provide a free case review, allowing you to find out whether you may have a claim without any financial risk
- Collect evidence like medical records, incident reports, and expert testimony to understand how the fall occurred and if the facility's negligence played a role
- File a nursing home lawsuit in the correct court before any legal deadlines
- Negotiate a nursing home settlement, which may allow you to receive compensation faster
- Fight for your family in court and seek compensation from a trial verdict if a settlement is unable to be reached
A nursing home fall injury settlement can help with medical bills, physical therapy, and more. In addition to easing the financial burden, taking legal action is also a way to demand accountability and motivate facilities to improve safety standards for all.
However, families only have a limited amount of time to take legal action due to state laws called statutes of limitations. Once this deadline passes, you may not be able to pursue compensation for your loved one's injuries again.
Choosing a Nursing Home Fall Injury Attorney
When choosing a nursing home fall injury attorney, it’s important to find a legal professional who has the skills and resources to secure the outcome your family deserves.
At Sokolove Law, we’re ready to fight on your behalf and pursue justice from the nursing home and any staff members responsible for your loved one's injuries.
Here's what makes our nursing home fall lawyers uniquely qualified:
- Decades of Experience: For over 45 years, our team has stood up to negligent nursing homes that have put vulnerable residents in harm's way.
- Track Record of Success: We’ve recovered over $10.1 Billion total for those injured through no fault of their own.
- Nationwide Reach: With offices and attorneys throughout the country, we can help families anywhere in the United States.
- Positive Client Reviews: We strive to provide the highest level of service, and we’re honored when clients share how our work has made a difference in their lives.
- No Upfront Costs: Our nursing home fall attorneys don’t charge any upfront costs or hourly fees to represent you.
We know how challenging nursing home fall cases can be and how difficult it is to take on deep-pocketed nursing home corporations alone. Our team is here to stand up for your loved one and fight for accountability.
"I called them to get advice on my aunt who is being neglected in a nursing home. Teresa called me right away, she was very professional, kind, caring, compassionate and was able to relate to my situation. I am very grateful for them."
– Nicohl, Sokolove Law Client
Falls in Nursing Home Statistics
Falls are among the most common and dangerous events affecting nursing home residents. Even though many nursing home falls are preventable, thousands of residents are seriously injured every year due to conditions that could have been avoided.
Find out more about fall statistics in nursing homes:
- Nearly half of all U.S. nursing home residents fall each year, and about one-third of those who fall will do so 2 or more times, according to AHRQ.
- Of all nursing home residents who fall, about 1 in 10 suffer a serious injury, and roughly 65,000 sustain a hip fracture each year, the agency reports.
- Falls are the leading cause of injury among adults aged 65 and older, resulting in about 1 million hospitalizations, as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- About 37% of seniors who fall suffer an injury serious enough to require medical treatment, according to the CDC.
- Only about 5% of adults 65 or older live in nursing homes, yet residents account for roughly 20% of all fall-related deaths in this age group.
- About 1,800 residents die from nursing home falls each year, according to the CDC.
- A typical 100-bed nursing home reports 100-200 falls every year, and many incidents still go unreported, the CDC states.
- U.S. nursing homes failed to report 43% of serious falls involving residents, according to a federal watchdog group. In some areas, the rate is far higher, including 60% in Nevada, 61% in California, and 64% in Washington, D.C.
- About 35% of fall-related injuries occur among residents who are unable to walk, according to the CDC.
- The CDC reports that muscle weakness and walking or gait problems are the leading causes of nursing home falls, contributing to about 24% of all incidents.
- Environmental hazards account for 16-27% of resident falls. These fall risks include wet floors, poor lighting, incorrect bed heights, and poorly maintained or improperly fitted wheelchairs.
Falls in nursing homes are widespread, dangerous, and often linked to preventable conditions. When a facility fails to provide adequate supervision, staffing, or a safe environment, residents face a much higher risk of suffering life-altering injuries.
When families suspect neglect, suing a nursing home for a fall can help hold the nursing home accountable and protect their loved ones.
Fall Prevention in Nursing Homes
Preventing falls in nursing homes is one of the most important responsibilities a facility has. Federal care standards require facilities to have a clear nursing home falls protocol that includes identifying at-risk residents and implementing safety measures to protect them.
Effective nursing home fall prevention focuses on consistent supervision, safe environments, and individualized care. When a facility follows these steps, many falls can be avoided.
Fall interventions for nursing homes include:
- Assisting with transfers and mobility, including helping residents stand, walk, or get in and out of bed
- Conducting regular fall-risk assessments and updating care plans when a resident’s condition changes
- Ensuring adequate staffing, especially during high-risk times like overnight hours or shift changes
- Keeping rooms and hallways safe, with clear walkways, proper lighting, and dry, non-slip floors
- Monitoring medications that cause dizziness, sedation, or confusion
- Providing mobility aids, such as walkers or properly fitted wheelchairs
- Using bed and chair alarms for residents who tend to wander or attempt to get up without help
When facilities fail to carry out these basic fall interventions for nursing homes, residents face a significantly higher risk of preventable injuries. A broken protocol, ignored care plan, or poorly supervised environment can all be signs of negligence.
When nursing homes fail to follow proper falls protocols or ignore proven safety interventions, residents can suffer injuries that should never have happened. Families don’t need to navigate these situations alone — experienced legal help can make a meaningful difference.
Get Help from Our Nursing Home Fall Attorneys
A preventable nursing home fall can leave families facing medical bills, long recoveries, and unanswered questions.
At Sokolove Law, our nursing home fall attorneys have decades of experience investigating these cases and fighting for the justice victims deserve.
Our nursing home neglect law firm:
- Can help fall victims in all 50 states
- Has over 45 years of experience fighting for residents in care
- Never charges any upfront costs or hourly fees
We've recovered over $318 Million total for those impacted by neglect and abuse in nursing homes.
Call (800) 995-1212 right now or fill out our contact form to take the first step toward the justice your family deserves.
Nursing Home Fall Lawyer FAQs
Can you sue a nursing home for a fall?
Yes. Families can sue a nursing home for a fall if the injury was caused by the facility’s negligence. Nursing homes have a duty to protect residents from avoidable harm, including preventing falls through proper supervision, safe conditions, and adequate staffing.
Suing a nursing home for a fall can help cover medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more. Get a free case review now to learn about your legal options.
Are nursing homes liable for falls?
Nursing homes may be held liable for falls when the injury stems from negligence or a failure to provide a safe environment. Facilities are legally required to identify fall risks, follow each resident’s care plan, and take reasonable steps to prevent avoidable injuries.
A nursing home may be liable for a fall when staff fail to:
- Assist with transfers or mobility
- Maintain proper lighting and safe walkways
- Provide adequate supervision
- Remove hazards like wet floors or cluttered hallways
- Supply or properly use assistive devices
- Update or follow fall-risk assessments and care plans
Liability often depends on proving neglect caused a resident's fall, such as the nursing home’s actions or inactions.
Our nursing home fall injury attorneys can collect evidence to build a strong case. Call (800) 995-1212 now to get started.
Are nursing homes required to report falls?
Yes. Nursing homes are generally required to document and report falls, especially when a resident is seriously injured or requires emergency medical care.
A fall that results in hospitalization, significant injury, or death must be recorded in the resident’s medical file and is often reportable to state health departments or federal regulatory agencies.
A nursing home may be required to report a fall when it involves:
- Possible neglect, including falls linked to ignored care plans or hazards
- Repeated incidents, which may signal safety issues or inadequate supervision
- Residents with conditions that trigger mandatory reporting under state regulations
- Serious injury, like a fracture or head trauma
Even when a fall does not cause major harm, facilities must typically document the event in internal incident logs to track patterns and improve safety. Consistent reporting helps protect residents, supports oversight, and ensures facilities are held accountable for preventable risks.
What are some legal options for families after repeated falls in nursing homes?
When a resident suffers repeated falls, families do have legal options to pursue holding the facility accountable, securing compensation, and potentially preventing further residents from being harmed.
Multiple falls often signal deeper issues like understaffing, ignored care plans, or unsafe conditions — all of which may be considered negligence.
Legal remedies when a resident falls in a nursing home include:
- Filing a nursing home negligence lawsuit to pursue compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and long-term care needs
- Pursuing a wrongful death claim if the falls contributed to or caused a resident’s death
- Reporting the facility to state health departments, Adult Protective Services, or federal agencies like the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- Requesting an independent investigation into staffing levels, supervision practices, and compliance with safety regulations
- Undertaking arbitration or mediation if required under the facility’s admission contract
Our nursing home falls attorneys can review the resident’s records, investigate the falls, and advise families on the strongest legal remedy based on what went wrong and how the injuries occurred.
Can you sue for an unwitnessed fall in a nursing home?
Yes, you may be able to sue for an unwitnessed fall in a nursing home. Nursing homes have a duty to protect residents from preventable harm.
When a fall is unwitnessed, it may point to safety issues like:
- Failure to follow a resident’s care plan
- Inadequate supervision
- Lack of proper fall prevention measures
- Understaffing or poor staffing ratios
Even if no one saw the fall happen, the facility may still be responsible if it failed to take reasonable steps to keep the resident safe.
What should I do when a resident falls in a nursing home?
If a resident falls in a nursing home, make sure they receive prompt medical attention and ask the facility to document the incident. It’s important to understand how and why the fall happened, whether staff were present, and if the resident’s care plan needs to be updated.
Families should also note any hazards or lapses in supervision and request clear communication from staff about the resident’s condition. If the circumstances seem preventable or the facility is unable to explain what occurred, you may want to speak with a nursing home fall attorney.
Contact Sokolove Law now to get the legal help you deserve.
How much does it cost to hire a lawyer for nursing home falls?
At Sokolove Law, there are no upfront costs or hourly fees to hire a lawyer for nursing home falls. We work on a contingency-fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we secure compensation for your family.
How long do I have to file a nursing home falls lawsuit?
The deadline to file a nursing home falls lawsuit varies by state, but most states give 1 to 3 years from the date of the injury or death. Because these time limits are strict, contacting an attorney as soon as possible is the best way to protect your right to take legal action.
