Nursing Home Broken Bone Attorney, San Francisco Bay Area

Trust Susan Kang Gordon, A Professional Law Corporation, to defend the rights of elderly nursing home residents. Get legal support for cases of unexplained fractures and broken bones in the Bay Area.
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5.0
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2021 Trial Lawyer of the Year
Ventura County Trial Lawyers Association
Medal
2022 Trial Lawyer of the Year
San Francisco County TrialLawyers Association

Protecting Elderly Nursing Home Patients Affected by Broken Bones

‍At Susan Kang Gordon, A Professional Law Corporation, we defend nursing home patients who have endured broken bone incidents within nursing facilities. Our team is deeply committed to investigating these serious cases thoroughly, ensuring that every detail is scrutinized to hold negligent parties accountable.

Our dedication is highlighted by our successful track record, including a notable $13.5 million verdict in 2021. We leverage this experience to secure the justice and compensation our clients rightfully deserve, advocating tirelessly for the safety and rights of elderly residents in nursing homes.
Hammer
$13.5 Million
Jury Verdict 2021
Balance
$6 Million
Jury Verdict 2021
Book
Over $40 Million
Recovered for Families
Learn More About Us

Broken Bone Rates in Nursing Home Facilities

Due to factors like osteoporosis or low bone density, what might be a minor fall for a healthier individual can lead to serious fractures in elderly patients. This susceptibility turns even routine falls into potential emergencies. Almost 90% of hip fractures in individuals aged 65 years or older are caused by falls.

Causes of Fractures in Elderly Nursing Home Residents

Fractures pose a significant health risk for elderly residents in nursing homes, often resulting from a combination of internal and external factors that place undue strain on bones.

Primarily, medical conditions commonly affecting older adults increase their susceptibility to fractures:

  • Bone Density Loss: Age-related conditions like osteoporosis lead to the thinning and weakening of bones, making them more fragile and prone to breaking.
  • Impaired Mobility: Dependence on assistive devices such as canes, walkers, or wheelchairs heightens the risk of falls.
  • Diminished Muscle Strength: Decreased muscle power contributes to instability and balance issues, elevating the likelihood of falls.
  • Adverse Medication Effects: Certain medications, including sedatives and tranquilizers, can cause dizziness and impair balance, increasing the risk of falling.

Staff members and management of nursing homes are responsible for maintaining safe living spaces and monitoring residents for signs of illness.

Act Now for Their Safety

If you have concerns about the treatment of a family member, contact our nursing home lawyer to discuss how we can help ensure their safety and pursue justice.

Different Types of Bone Fractures in Nursing Homes

The human body is comprised of around 206 bones, each susceptible to fractures, especially among more vulnerable populations, such as nursing home residents.

Elderly individuals in nursing homes are prone to a variety of bone fractures, including:

  • Open/Compound Fractures: These occur when the bone breaks through the skin, increasing the risk of infection.
  • Displaced Fractures: This type involves bones that break and shift out of their normal alignment.
  • Compression Fractures: Commonly found in the spine and associated with conditions like osteoporosis, these fractures can develop without any obvious trauma.
  • Stress Fractures: These are fine cracks that may appear in bones due to repeated stress or overuse, often affecting the legs and feet.
  • Traumatic Fractures: Caused by high-impact incidents or nursing home falls, these fractures can occur in elderly residents due to their reduced mobility and balance.

In nursing homes, certain fractures are observed more often due to the physical frailties associated with aging:

  • Hip Fractures: Particularly serious, these fractures often result from falls and carry a high risk of mortality for elderly individuals.
  • Pelvic, Femur, and Vertebrae Fractures: Such injuries can severely impact an individual's mobility and overall health.
  • Fractures of the Wrist, Ankle, and Skull: These injuries can have profound consequences on the health and well-being of elderly nursing home residents.

Fractures can leave older people more vulnerable to neglect due to reduced mobility, creating a dangerous feedback loop. As your family’s legal advocate, our team will fight to recover the damages your loved one is owed.

Potential Complications of Bone Fractures in Nursing Home Residents

Nursing home residents who suffer from bone fractures may face various complications, including:

Acute Compartment Syndrome (ACS)

This condition arises when excessive pressure builds up within the muscles, restricting blood flow to the affected tissue. If left untreated, ACS can lead to irreversible muscle and nerve damage.

Malunion and Nonunion

Malunion occurs when the fractured bones heal in a misaligned position, while nonunion refers to the incomplete or absent healing of the broken bones.

Infections, Sepsis, and Surrounding Tissue Damage

Fractures can lead to infections, which may spread throughout the body, causing sepsis. Additionally, the injury may cause harm to the tendons, muscles, ligaments, nerves, and blood vessels surrounding the affected bone.

Preventing Broken Bones in Nursing Homes

The nursing facility staff has a vital responsibility to protect residents from potential hazards that could lead to injuries like fractures resulting from falls.

Upon the arrival of a new resident at a nursing home, staff members need to carry out a thorough assessment to develop a customized care plan that enhances the resident's quality of life. This includes evaluating the risk of incidents that could lead to broken bones. The next step is to implement appropriate measures to ensure supervision and support for navigating the nursing home facility.

In order to prevent injuries that could result in fractures, the following preventive measures should be taken:

  • Provide nutritious foods and beverages that promote bone strength.
  • Implement safety precautions for residents prone to falls, securing them in beds or wheelchairs as needed.
  • Provide essential mobility aids, such as walkers, canes, and wheelchairs, to help residents move safely around the nursing or assisted living facility.
  • Install safety features like bed rails, handrails, and non-slip mats and surfaces to help prevent falls.
  • Maintain clear, well-lit environments and remove any obstacles that could cause trips.
  • Repair any uneven flooring promptly.
  • Keep floors dry and clean up any spills immediately to avoid slips

Lastly, staff should handle all patient movements with care, especially when assisting residents in getting in and out of bed or moving about the facility.

Securing Compensation for Nursing Home Injuries Due to Negligence

When nursing home negligence results in injuries like bone fractures, affected residents and their families must seek appropriate compensation.

Compensation can cover various aspects, such as:

  • All medical expenses incurred for immediate and future care necessitated by the injury.
  • Costs associated with prescription medications and essential assistive devices.
  • Fees for ongoing rehabilitation or physical therapy.
  • Reimbursement for physical pain and the emotional distress suffered by the resident
  • Financial remedy for the psychological impact on the resident and their family.
  • Recompense for any decline in the resident's lifestyle or any permanent disabilities that have arisen.
  • Punitive damages to punish the facility for negligence and deter similar behavior in the future.

The legal action of seeking compensation serves not just to alleviate financial burdens related to the injury but also to hold the facility accountable and improve the care standards for the injured party.

Why Select Us for Your Nursing Home Fracture Case?

When seeking legal counsel for cases involving fractures in nursing homes, it is essential to choose a firm that not only grasps the complexities of the legal system but also deeply understands the significant personal impact these injuries have.

Led by our attorney, who was awarded Trial Lawyer of the Year by the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association in 2022 and the Ventura County Trial Lawyers Association in 2021, our team is dedicated to addressing cases of nursing home negligence.

We have established a solid reputation for obtaining extensive compensation for our clients. Our method integrates thorough legal proficiency with heartfelt advocacy, addressing every element of the injury — from obtaining funds for medical costs to providing compensation for emotional and physical distress.

Our Recent Cases

$13.5 Million Verdict

10 elderly residents sued a nursing home for the neglect and abuse suffered at the hands of the operators. They alleged the failure to provide proper care for fall prevention, wounds, nutrition and hydration and medication management.

$6 Million Fee Award

For the cases which go to trial, we will always seek attorney’s fees directly from the defendant so that you do not have to pay us any fees from your award. In other words, we ask the Court to order the defendants to pay us our hourly fees. Fee awards are not granted for cases that result in a private settlement.

$1,675,000

Confidential Settlement - resident is found dead in a bathtub. - $1,675,000.

$1,500,000

Confidential Settlement - fall in residential care facility. - $1,500,000.

$975,000

Confidential Settlement - fall in residential care facility - $975,000.

$800,000

Confidential Settlement - A physical therapist's failure to transfer body properly results in hairline fracture to the leg - $800,000.

Testimonials

Stars
5

Susan did an amazing job representing our family in a complex and emotionally challenging legal matter. Susan was in it for the long haul, becoming both a trusted advisor and a voice of compassion throughout the process. Susan and her team always brought professionalism, empathy, dedication and skill to our case. She achieved a very positive outcome for us, and we couldn't have been happier with her representation. I would absolutely recommend her and SKG Law.

Tom Smith, Lafayette
Stars
5

Susan was great. She really cares and it shows. We won our case. We really appreciate Susan standing up for the little people.

Brent Baisch, Brentwood
View All Testimonials

Get Legal Help Now

Contact Susan Kang Gordon, A Professional Law Corporation, for a free consultation on cases involving broken bones in nursing homes. Call (510) 400-6146 now or fill out our online form.
Physical Address
2 Theatre Square, Suite 217, Orinda, CA 94563
Phone
(510) 400-6146
Fax
(510) 400-6148
Mailing Address
21C Orinda Way #162 Orinda, CA 94563
Email
susan@skg-law.com
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