Steps to Take After a Loved One Falls in a Nashville Nursing Home
- Get medical attention first, and request the records tied to the fall.
- Ask the facility for a written incident report and the names of staff involved.
- Photograph the scene, including any missing equipment or hazards.
- Call us before records disappear or get rewritten.
Compensation Available to Nashville Families After a Nursing Home Fall Injury
Families may pursue compensation for medical expenses, rehabilitation, lost independence, and pain and suffering tied to a preventable fall.
When a fall leads to a death, families may also have grounds for a Nashville wrongful death claim, which can cover funeral costs and the loss of a loved one’s companionship.
The right number depends on the severity of the injury and how clearly the facility’s negligence can be shown, and we walk you through realistic outcomes before you decide anything.
Common Fall-Related Injuries at Nashville and Davidson County Nursing Facilities
Certain injuries show up again and again in these cases: hip fractures that require surgery, spinal injuries that affect mobility, wrist and shoulder fractures from trying to catch a fall, and pneumonia or blood clots that develop during the recovery that follows.
Even injuries that look minor at first, like a bruised hip or a sore wrist, can turn out to be fractures once imaging is done, so it is worth having a doctor check thoroughly.
Head trauma is common, too, and severe cases can turn into a traumatic brain injury claim on top of the fall itself.
How Understaffing at Nashville Nursing Homes Leads to Preventable Falls
Understaffing is the thread running through most of these cases. When there are not enough aides on a shift, residents who need help standing or reaching the bathroom are left waiting, and some try to do it alone rather than wait for someone to come.
High turnover also means fall-risk assessments get rushed, and equipment like bed alarms or grab bars goes unchecked for weeks at a time. When we investigate a fall, the staffing schedule for that shift, along with any prior complaints against the facility, is one of the first things we pull.
Tennessee Nursing Home Fall Prevention Requirements and What Happens When They Fail
Tennessee facilities are required to assess each resident’s fall risk, develop an individual care plan, and implement safeguards such as bed alarms, non-slip flooring, or supervised transfers.
These duties come from state licensing rules and the federal conditions facilities agree to in exchange for Medicare and Medicaid funding. You can check a facility’s compliance history through the Tennessee Department of Health’s health care facility resources.
When a facility ignores these duties, a fall often becomes the basis of a Nashville premises liability claim, and a history of state citations frequently points straight to where the safety system failed.
Why Families in Nashville Trust Our Firm
We know Davidson County
We know how Davidson County courts handle these claims and which facilities in the Nashville area have a track record worth flagging.
We communicate clearly
We answer calls quickly, explain things in plain language, and never leave a family guessing about where their case stands.
We work on contingency
Nothing is owed upfront, and The Roth Firm only gets paid if your family recovers money.
Talk With A Nashville Nursing Home Lawyer Today
If your family is dealing with a nursing home fall, contact The Roth Firm today for a free, no-pressure conversation about what happened and what comes next.
Law Office Directions
Our Nashville law office sits off I-40 and I-24, with Briley Parkway offering a quick route from Donelson, Hermitage, or the BNA airport corridor.
We are located at 402 BNA Drive, Building 100, Suite 410, Nashville, TN 37217.
You can reach us at 404-640-5761.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if the fall was preventable?
You usually cannot know for certain without the facility’s records, but a history of falls, thin staffing on the shift, or an ignored mobility risk are all warning signs worth a closer look during a free consultation with our team.
How long do I have to file a claim in Tennessee?
Generally one year from the date of the injury. Exceptions can apply depending on the circumstances, so it is worth calling us even if you think time may have already passed since the fall happened.
Will filing a claim affect my loved one’s care?
No. Facilities cannot legally retaliate against a resident because a family pursued a claim. Tell us right away if you notice any change in treatment during our investigation.
What if the fall happened months ago and we only now suspect neglect?
You may still have options within the one-year window. It is worth a short call rather than assuming it is too late.
Do you charge anything to review our case?
No. Consultations are free and we work on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for your family.
