Slip & Falls in Michigan Nursing Homes: Can You Sue?

Moving loved ones into a nursing home can be a difficult and emotional process. Despite this, we do it out of the promise of professional care, proper supervision, and a safe environment. Unfortunately, slip and fall accidents remain a common and dangerous hazard facing nursing home residents all over Michigan. As a Michigan personal injury law office, we’ve seen how devastating these incidents can be for families who trusted that their loved ones would be kept safe.

In this post, we’ll walk through the scope of the problem, why these falls happen, what injuries they can cause, and what potential legal options Michigan families have when negligence is involved.

How Big Is This Problem?

National numbers on falls amongst the elderly are staggering. According to the CDC, over 14 million adults, aged 65 and older report falling every year. Nearly 37% of those resulted in an injury that required medical treatment. Now you might be thinking — that’s one of the reasons why nursing homes are beneficial, right? They have fall risk protocols and supervision to mitigate the danger.

While it may help in certain situations, it’s not necessarily foolproof. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General conducted a study between July 2022 and June 2023. They found more than 42,000 serious falls among nursing home residents led to hospitalizations nationwide — and 1,911 residents died while hospitalized from their injuries. They also found that most residents had fall risk factors identified by the nursing homes prior to these incidents.

Michigan has hundreds of licensed nursing homes, serving tens of thousands of residents. Even one preventable fall in these facilities is too many.

Why Do These Falls Happen?

Understanding why falls happen can hopefully help you identify whether negligence was involved in your loved one’s fall. While there are many reasons why a fall can happen, I want to detail the most common reasons.

1. Resident Health and Mobility Issues: Many nursing home residents suffer from conditions like balance disorders, dementia, vision impairment, arthritis — all of which heighten fall risks. Residents who rely on walkers, canes, or wheelchairs are especially vulnerable to falls if the staff fails to provide proper assistance. Finally, medications prescribed in the resident’s long-term care — such as sedatives or blood pressure drugs — can cause dizziness or confusion, also increasing the likelihood of falls.

2. Environmental Hazards and Inadequate Supervision: The Michigan Administrative Code Rules lay out the requirements for licensed nursing homes, touching everything from building regulations to proper care procedures. Some common violations of these rules range from wet floors, poor lighting, uneven surfaces, or cluttered hallways. They also include broken or missing handrails and understaffing that leaves residents unsupervised when they are moving, bathing, or using the restroom. Even one overlooked hazard can have catastrophic results.

3. Neglect and Systemic Failures: Some falls are not isolated incidents but symptoms of much greater neglect. This could include inadequate staff training on falls, failing to assess a resident’s fall risk at admission, ignoring previous falls or failing to report them, or failing to perform regular safety inspections. If a nursing home knows that a resident is high-risk and does not take reasonable steps to protect them from falls — it could be legally responsible for any resulting injuries.

   
   

What Are The Potential Injuries From Nursing Home Falls?

Nursing home falls can lead to life-altering injuries. With the elderly, even a seemingly minor fall can cause lasting complications.

1. Brain Injuries: A blow to the head can cause concussions, skull fractures, or lasting traumatic brain injuries.

2. Broken Bones: Residents could suffer anything from a broken wrist to a broken hip due to a fall. Unfortunately, many victims never regain full mobility after these injuries, often requiring a permanent move to a higher level of care.

3. Internal Injuries: Severe falls can cause serious internal injuries. If a resident is on blood thinners, they could face the danger of internal bleeding, which can be fatal if untreated.

4. Functional Decline: Beyond the potential physical harm, a fall can destroy a resident’s confidence and independence. They could become fearful of walking which can worsen overall health outcomes.

   
   

Contact Our Michigan Nursing Home Injury Lawyer

If your loved one has suffered a fall in a Michigan nursing home — in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Traverse City, or anywhere in the state — our experienced personal injury attorney can help.

At MichiganLawsuit.com, we work with medical experts to determine whether a fall was preventable, fight for fair settlements for victims, and handle every case with compassion, respect, and relentless advocacy.

You don’t have to face this alone. Call us today at (855) 529-6424 or visit https://www.michiganlawsuit.com/contact-us for a free, confidential consultation. We’ll help you hold negligent facilities accountable.

Final Thoughts

Falls in Michigan nursing homes are often not just accidents — they can be the predictable result of neglect, understaffing, or failure to follow safety protocols. With proper supervision, safe environments, and adequate staffing, most falls are preventable.

If your loved one has fallen in a Michigan nursing home, don’t wait. Evidence, such as surveillance footage, can disappear quickly, and statute of limitations apply. Our team is here to protect your family’s rights and ensure that justice is served.