MedMalFirm.com Reaches Settlement Agreement in Hospital Fall Case

MedMalFirm.com is proud to announce that their attorneys have reached a settlement in a hospital fall case. Our team works hard to protect the rights of our clients and get them the compensation they deserve. Read on to learn more about this hospital fall case. To learn more about your legal rights, contact us to speak with one of our medical malpractice attorneys.

Hospital Fall Case Facts

On October 7, 2014 a patient was admitted to a San Antonio hospital for symptoms such as stomach and chest pain.  After admitting the patient, doctors ran tests and determined that she was suffering from dehydration and a urinary tract infection (UTI).  The plan of care, at that time, was to keep the patient admitted for several days and then release her home.  The patient, who was approximately 95-years-old at the time, was designated as a fall risk based on her history and health, and was outfitted with a hospital “fall risk” bracelet, in addition to signage outside of her room.

The day after admission to the facility, the patient needed to use the restroom and was assisted to the restroom by a CNA and then left alone.  The patient called multiple times for assistance back to her bed.  However, no one was there to assist her and she attempted to make it back to her bed from the restroom on her own.  In her attempt to walk back to the bed, she fell and struck her head against the floor.  After the hospital fall, the patient laid on the floor in her own blood and attempted to call for help.  A staff member eventually heard her, placed her back in bed, and gave her a towel to hold over the wound on her head.

It wasn’t until after the patient called her son and he arrived seeing the condition that his mother was in before further action was taken. Finally, a CT scan was ordered and five stitches were placed in the patient’s head.  After the results of the CT scan came back, the neurologist informed the patient and her son that she had internal bleeding, and that her brain had actually shifted as a result of the impact of the fall.  She was sent to the operating room to undergo surgery to relieve pressure in her brain.

The patient went to the Surgical Intensive Care Unit on October 10, 2014 before being transferred to a regular room three days later.  Following the fall and surgery, the patient had to be transferred to a nursing home for rehabilitation due to weakness and deteriorated health.

While accidents can happen to anyone, a hospital fall like this one could easily have been avoided had the CNA remained in the room to help the patient, or had a nurse or staff member been available to return when the patient called for help.  Hospitals are equipped with call buttons and emergency alert features in order to prevent incidents like this one from occurring. In this case, those measures were not properly utilized and as a result, the patient suffered a traumatic injury.

Hospital Fall Attorneys

The attorneys at the MedMalFirm.com are experienced in hospital fall cases. If you or a loved one has suffered from a fracture, broken bone, or internal bleeding as a result of hospital negligence that led to an unattended fall, you may be able to receive compensation for your medical expenses and mental anguish.

Contact the MedMalFirm.com to discuss your legal rights. You can contact us at 877-887-4850 or by filling out our online form. We offer every client a free consultation.