When you enter a Chicago hospital, whether for treatment or to visit a loved one, the expectation is clear: you want the facility to be safe.
However, falls in hospitals occur more frequently than most realize and can lead to significant injuries or worsen pre-existing medical conditions. Each year, between 700,000 and 1,000,000 people fall in the hospital in The United States. [1]
If you’ve suffered injuries from a fall due to negligence at a Chicago hospital, you are entitled to seek legal recourse. Keep reading to learn more about who could be liable, what you may be entitled to, and how a Chicago hospital fall attorney from our law firm can help.
Can You Sue a Hospital for a Fall?
Yes, you can sue a hospital for a fall if it’s determined that the fall was due to negligence on the part of the hospital staff or unsafe conditions in the facility. The success of such a lawsuit will depend heavily on the circumstances surrounding your fall and whether there is evidence proving that the hospital breached its duty of care to maintain safe premises.
If they failed to implement proper procedures, adequately address hazards, or ensure patient safety effectively, they might be held liable for resulting injuries.
The Fundamental Differences Between Medical Malpractice and Premises Liability Claims Involving Patient Falls
Common Hospital Fall-Related Injuries
Hospital falls can lead to a range of injuries that vary in severity, from minor to life-altering, with some of the most common including:
- Fractures
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Sprains and strains
- Bruises and lacerations
- Internal injuries
Liability for Cases Involving Hospital Patient Falls
Hospital patient falls can lead to serious injuries and potential liability for several parties depending on the circumstances surrounding the incident. The following parties are most often legally responsible:
- Hospital staff, such as nurses and aides, can be held liable if their negligence contributes to a patient falling. This includes failures in monitoring the patient, improper use of restraints, or patient neglect, like not responding adequately to patient needs.