Broken Hips in Nursing Homes

Injured in a Tampa nursing home? Let us fight for the justice your loved one deserves

A broken hip is one of the most devastating injuries an elderly person can suffer, and it happens far too often in nursing homes. Many residents already struggle with mobility issues, which makes them vulnerable to falls. But when a hip fracture occurs due to neglect, the consequences can be severe and even fatal.

Families trust nursing homes to provide a safe environment, yet too many facilities fail to meet basic safety standards. If your loved one suffered a broken hip in a nursing home, you may be wondering: Was this preventable, or was it due to nursing home abuse or neglect? In this article, we explain why hip fractures happen, how to determine if neglect played a role, and what steps to take to seek justice.

Why are broken hips so common in nursing homes?

Nursing home residents often have conditions that further raise their risk, such as osteoporosis, arthritis, or balance problems. However, while age and health conditions contribute to falls, many hip fractures result from preventable hazards and negligence in nursing facilities.

Physical factors that increase fall risk

Elderly nursing home residents are particularly vulnerable to falls due to a combination of physical and cognitive challenges. Bone fragility is a major factor, as many seniors suffer from osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones and makes fractures more likely. Even a minor fall can result in a broken hip.

Muscle weakness is also a common cause. As people age, they naturally lose strength and coordination, which makes it harder to steady themselves if they trip or stumble.

Cognitive decline further increases the risk, especially for residents with dementia or Alzheimer’s. These individuals may become disoriented, forget their physical limitations, or wander into unsafe areas, putting them at even greater risk of falling.

Unsafe conditions in nursing homes

Many falls in nursing homes are not just due to age-related frailty but also unsafe facility conditions that should be preventable. Slippery floors, whether from spills, improper cleaning, or cluttered hallways, significantly increase fall risks. Poor lighting in hallways, common areas, and bathrooms makes it harder for residents to see potential hazards and increases the likelihood of tripping.

Another major concern is the lack of grab bars and bed rails, which help seniors who need support when moving around. Without these, residents may struggle to maintain balance when getting in and out of bed or using the restroom.

Additionally, improper use or maintenance of mobility aids, such as walkers or wheelchairs, can lead to dangerous situations. If a wheelchair is not adjusted correctly or a walker is unstable, a resident may fall while trying to use the equipment meant to keep them safe.

Staff neglect and poor supervision

Negligence on the part of nursing home staff is a major contributor to preventable falls. Understaffing is a widespread issue, and when there aren’t enough caregivers available, residents who need assistance walking may try to get up on their own, leading to dangerous falls.

Even when the staff is present, slow response times to call buttons can create hazardous delays. Residents who need immediate help may grow impatient and attempt to move without assistance.

Medication mismanagement is another serious problem. Many commonly prescribed drugs, including sedatives, antidepressants, and blood pressure medications, have side effects such as dizziness or drowsiness. Without proper monitoring, residents on these medications may become unsteady on their feet, which makes them far more likely to suffer a serious injury from a fall.

Is a broken hip in a nursing home considered negligence?

Not every fall in a nursing home is due to negligence, but many are. Nursing homes are legally required to provide a safe environment and prevent avoidable injuries. If staff members fail to take proper precautions or ignore a resident’s fall risk, the facility may be held liable.

A facility can be considered negligent if:

They failed to prevent a foreseeable fall: If a resident was known to be at risk but didn’t receive proper supervision, the nursing home could be responsible.
They ignored safety hazards: If a resident tripped due to poor lighting, wet floors, or broken furniture, the facility may be liable.
They delayed medical treatment: If staff failed to recognize or report an injury quickly, it could worsen the resident’s condition.
They were understaffed: If a lack of caregivers led to inadequate monitoring or delayed response times, it may be a sign of neglect.

What are the warning signs of negligence in nursing homes?

If your loved one suffered a broken hip in a nursing home, look for these red flags:

Conflicting stories from staff about how the injury happened.
A history of prior falls that were ignored or downplayed.
Delays in notifying you or seeking medical attention.
Signs of poor facility management, such as overworked staff, unclean conditions, or frequent complaints.

If any of these issues sound familiar, it may be time to take legal action.

Do I have a claim against the nursing home?

If a nursing home’s neglect, understaffing, or unsafe conditions lead to a fall, you may have a valid legal claim. The key to proving negligence is demonstrating that the facility failed to uphold its duty of care and that failure directly led to your loved one’s injury.

You might have a claim if:

The nursing home failed to take reasonable safety precautions.
Your loved one’s fall was preventable with proper care.
The facility tried to cover up or delay reporting the injury.
The injury led to serious harm, long-term disability, or wrongful death.

What evidence is needed for a claim?

Medical records: Document the severity of the injury and any prior fall risk assessments.
Incident reports: Request the facility’s written report of the accident.
Witness statements: Speak with staff, residents, or visitors who may have seen the fall.
Facility records: Look into prior safety violations or complaints against the nursing home.
Photos or videos: Capture any environmental hazards, such as poor lighting or lack of safety features.

What is the average award or settlement for a broken hip claim?

The value of a nursing home injury claim depends on the severity of the injury, the level of negligence, and the long-term impact on the victim’s life. While every case is unique, settlements for nursing home falls typically range from $100,000 to over $500,000, with some cases reaching into the millions if severe neglect is involved.

The factors that influence settlement amounts include:

The cost of medical treatment such as surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and long-term care.
Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of mobility.
The nursing home’s history of violations.
Wrongful death damages for families if a hip fracture leads to fatal complications.

What should I do if my loved one suffered a broken hip in a nursing home?

If your family member suffered a preventable injury, taking immediate action can protect their rights and prevent further harm.

Get immediate medical attention: Seek medical care right away. A hip fracture can be especially dangerous for elderly residents and requires prompt assessment, treatment, and potential surgery.
Request the nursing home’s incident report: After your loved one is treated, request a detailed incident report from the facility. Nursing homes in Florida must document all accidents and injuries.
Document everything: Take photos of your loved one’s injury and the area where it occurred, collect medical records, and write down your observations.
Report the injury to state agencies: In Florida, you can report potential neglect or abuse to the Agency for Health Care Administration or contact a local long-term care ombudsman.
Get legal help: Contact an attorney experienced in Florida nursing home abuse cases. A lawyer can investigate whether the facility failed to meet proper standards of care and help your loved one seek compensation.

Tampa attorney committed to holding negligent nursing homes accountable

If your loved one suffered a hip fracture in a Tampa-area nursing home, the attorneys at Armando Personal Injury Law are here to help you get justice. We know how heartbreaking it is to trust a facility with your family member’s care only to see that trust broken. We help families across the Greater Tampa Bay area hold negligent nursing homes accountable and fight for justice when residents are injured.

Attorney Armando Edmiston and his legal team can investigate what really happened, gather key evidence, interview witnesses, and work to uncover any patterns of abuse or neglect. Whether your case involves a fall, bedsores, dehydration, or other signs of mistreatment, our team is prepared to stand up to nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and their insurance companies on your behalf.

We offer free consultations and handle all nursing home injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win for you. Our law firm proudly serves families in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Brandon, and throughout the Tampa Bay region. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation, and let us fight to protect your family’s rights.

“Armando and his staff are incredible. Very professional and attentive. Any time I had questions or concerns about my case (which was quite often), they were happy to answer and give me peace of mind. If I ever have a need for an attorney in the future, I will always use and recommend Armando.” – MC, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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