Subdural Hematoma Fall Injury
Subdural Hematoma Injuries Due to Falls
Falls in nursing homes and other elder care facilities such as memory care and assisted living facilities can lead to serious fractures and head injuries including subdural hematoma. Over half of all traumatic brain injuries to seniors is due to falls. Most falls are preventable with proper assessment of risks, safety interventions, proper use of patient lifts, and adequate supervision.
Subdural Hematoma and Traumatic Brain Injuries
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, the injury mechanisms (external causes of injury) associated with TBI-related deaths vary by age group. TBI-related deaths in children 0–4 years are primarily associated with assault (42.9%) and motor vehicle traffic-related crashes (29.2%). Motor vehicle traffic crashes account for a majority of TBI-related deaths (55.8%) in youth 5–14 years and almost half (47.4%) in young adults 15–24 years. Falls account for the majority (54.4%) of TBI-related deaths in adults 65 years of age and older.
Nursing Home Fall Subdural Hematoma Information
Nursing homes have a duty to assess the risks that are relevant for each resident and then to develop a care plan to reduce the likelihood of accidents and injury. A facility must make a comprehensive assessment of a resident’s needs, strengths, goals, life history and preferences, using the resident assessment instrument (RAI) specified by CMS. Further the provider has an obligation to follow the care plan and doctors orders to provide a safe environment from accidents (such as falls) as well as a quality of care and life.
Quality of life is a fundamental principle that applies to all care and services provided to facility residents. Each resident must receive and the facility must provide the necessary care and services to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being, consistent with the resident’s comprehensive assessment and plan of care.
Subdural hematomas are extremely serious injuries due to the fact that they can lead to permanent injury or traumatic brain injury, TBI, or require immediate intervention to prevent further injury or death through surgical intervention such as a craniotomy to relieve swelling and pressure on the brain.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the cause of intracranial bleeding (hemorrhage) usually is a head injury, often resulting from automobile, motorcycle or bicycle accidents, falls, assaults, and sports injuries. Mild head trauma is more likely to cause a hematoma if you’re an older adult, especially if you’re taking an anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs, such as aspirin. You can have a serious injury even if there’s no open wound, bruise or other outward sign of damage.
A hematoma may occur as a subdural hematoma, an epidural hematoma or an intraparenchymal hematoma.
Subdural Hematoma Neglect Attorney
Attorney Kenneth LaBore has handled hundreds of serious elder abuse and neglect cases many including death or permanent injury from preventable falls leading to head injury and hematoma.
For a free consultation concerning elder abuse or neglect such as fractures and other fall injuries call Attorney Kenneth LaBore at 612-743-9048 or by email at KLaBore@MNnursinghomeneglect.com. There is no fee unless a verdict or settlement offer from wrongdoer.
