Did you know that more than 300,000 older adults are hospitalized every year for hip fractures (aka, a broken hip)? The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cites that statistic and explains that more than 95% of all hip fractures among the elderly result from falls. In nearly all cases, falls are preventable, especially in Southern California nursing homes where residents are supposed to have quality care and assistance. If you have an elderly loved one in a nursing home who recently fell and sustained a hip fracture, you may be able to file a nursing home negligence claim. A Riverside nursing home hip fracture lawyer at our firm is here to help.
What is a Hip Fracture in Riverside?A hip fracture is “a break in the thigh bone of your hip joint,” or femur, according to Cedars Sinai. Hip fractures can take multiple forms, including:
Generally speaking, femoral neck fractures are more difficult to repair and are more common among elderly patients.
Why Are Hip Fractures So Dangerous for Nursing Home Residents?Hip fractures are particularly problematic for nursing home and assisted living residents because they tend to occur more often in older adults and frequently lead to serious restrictions in a person’s mobility. According to Cedars Sinai, a majority of all hip fractures affect people over the age of 60, and the risk of a hip fracture doubles every decade after you turn 50.
Women in nursing homes are more likely to sustain hip fractures than men due to osteoporosis, but falls can result in a serious hip fracture for any nursing home resident. Here at Southern California Nursing Home Law Group we have handled more than 100 legal cases involving broken hips.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Nursing Home Hip Fracture Claim in Riverside?Most nursing home hip fracture lawsuits will need to be filed within one or two years from the date of the injury under California law, depending on the facts. Although that might seem like a long time, and you might think it makes sense to wait before you file a claim, it is important to remember that it may be more difficult to obtain evidence for your case as time goes on. Moreover, the longer you wait to hold the nursing home accountable, the higher the likelihood that another injury may occur as a result of passive neglect.
Contact Our Riverside Nursing Home Broken Hip Attorneys TodayNursing home residents should never have to experience a hip fracture while spending significant amounts of money on care in a nursing home. Riverside nursing homes owe a duty of care to residents, and hip fractures are often an indication that a facility is not providing adequate care. Hip fractures in particular can be devastating to seniors, resulting in significant loss of mobility and increasing the likelihood of death. One of our nursing home hip fracture lawyers in Riverside can assess your case for you today and discuss options for filing a claim. Contact the Southern California Nursing Home Law Group for more information about nursing home negligence lawsuits.