A Philly Legal Connect Spotlight on The Oakes Firm – Your First Call for Injury Law
When a loved one is in a nursing home or hospital, families place enormous trust in the facility to provide safety, supervision, and dignity. But across Philadelphia and South Jersey, families receive the same alarming call far too often:
“Your mother/father/grandparent has fallen.”
Most people assume falls “just happen,” but the truth is:
👉 Most nursing home and hospital falls are preventable.
👉 A fall is often the first warning sign of deeper neglect.
This comprehensive guide from Philly Legal Connect explains the statistics, causes, warning signs, legal rights, and next steps for families — and highlights one of the region’s top injury firms, The Oakes Firm, who handles nursing home and hospital fall cases with exceptional care and expertise.
⭐ Why Philly Legal Connect Exists — and Why We’re Spotlighting The Oakes Firm
At Philly Legal Connect, our mission is simple:
We help you connect with trusted, highly skilled Philadelphia lawyers who deliver results.
We are independent, local, and dedicated to helping families navigate serious legal issues — especially when a loved one is injured or neglected in a hospital or nursing home.
For cases involving nursing home negligence, hospital falls, elder abuse, and serious injury, we proudly spotlight:
The Oakes Firm – Your First Call for Injury Law
A Philadelphia-based, multi-generational family, and personal injury firm known for:
- Client-first service
- Aggressive investigation
- Deep experience in medical and institutional negligence
- Compassionate guidance for families in crisis
You’ll see us highlight many firms across Philly depending on the practice area — but for nursing home and hospital injuries, The Oakes Firm is the team Philadelphia families trust.
How Common Are Nursing Home & Hospital Falls? (Shocking Statistics)
Hospital Fall Statistics
- 700,000 – 1,000,000 patients fall in U.S. hospitals every year.
- 30% of those falls cause serious injuries (brain bleeds, fractures, internal bleeding).
- Hospital fall injuries cost more than $50 billion annually (CDC).
Nursing Home Fall Statistics
- 50–75% of nursing home residents fall every year.
- Residents experience an average of 2–3 falls yearly.
- 1,800+ residents die each year from fall-related injuries.
These numbers reflect a serious problem, especially among facilities with poor staffing, inadequate supervision, or ignored call bells.
Why Do These Falls Happen? Common Causes of Negligence
Falls rarely occur “out of the blue.” Most are due to preventable safety failures:
- Ignored call bells
- Understaffing
- Inadequate bathroom assistance
- Medication errors
- Unsafe conditions (wet floors, poor lighting, missing handrails)
- Lack of monitoring of high-risk patients
- Failure to follow fall-prevention plans
If any of these apply, the facility may be legally responsible.
Common Injuries After Nursing Home & Hospital Falls
Falls in older adults often cause:
- Hip fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Broken wrists/arms/shoulders
- Lacerations
- Loss of independence
- Long-term decline or death
Many of these require surgery, rehab, or permanent care.
A Fall Is a Red Flag — Look for These Other Warning Signs
A fall usually signals larger systemic problems such as:
- Bedsores
- Rapid weight loss
- Dehydration
- Frequent infections
- Over-sedation
- Repeated ER transfers
- Soiled bedding or room odors
- Evasive or unavailable staff
These are signs of ongoing neglect, not aging.
Wrongful Death After a Nursing Home or Hospital Fall
Unfortunately, many fragile patients do not recover after a serious fall. Families may pursue claims for:
- Wrongful death
- Pain and suffering
- Medical and end-of-life expenses
- Loss of companionship
Every family deserves answers, accountability, and justice.
Is the Facility Liable? Understanding Negligence in Pennsylvania
A nursing home, assisted living facility, rehab center, or hospital may be liable when:
- Safety protocols weren’t followed
- Call bells were ignored
- Staff left a high-risk patient unattended
- A resident was overmedicated
- No fall-prevention plan was created or followed
- Equipment alarms failed or weren’t used
- Staff ratios were unsafe
Hospital Falls: Malpractice vs. Premises Liability
Some hospital falls are malpractice, while others are premises cases.
Premises Liability (Example):
Patient slips on a wet floor in a hallway.
Medical Malpractice (Example):
Nurse ignores fall-risk orders, fails to supervise a post-operative patient, or over-sedates the patient.
Malpractice cases in PA require a certificate of merit — making experienced legal guidance essential.
What To Do Immediately After a Loved One Falls
- Request the incident report in writing.
- Take photos of injuries and the room.
- Ask for the medication administration record (MAR).
- Document conversations with staff.
- Request staffing logs for the shift.
- Obtain hospital/ER records if transported.
- Contact an injury lawyer immediately — evidence disappears quickly.
How The Oakes Firm Investigates Nursing Home & Hospital Falls
As part of our PLC Spotlight, here’s what sets The Oakes Firm apart:
They do not take the facility’s version at face value.
Their investigation includes:
- Complete medical records
- Fall-risk assessments
- Medication logs (MAR)
- Staff assignments and staffing levels
- Safety policies and protocols
- Prior inspection reports
- Incident reports (including drafts)
- Video footage (if available)
- Witness interviews
- Communications between the facility and family
This comprehensive approach often reveals failures families were never told about.
Serving Families in Philadelphia and South Jersey
Many families have loved ones in facilities both in:
Philadelphia:
- South Philly
- Center City
- Northeast Philly
- Roxborough
- Mount Airy
- West Philly
- Delaware, Chester, Bucks and Montgomery Counties
South Jersey:
- Camden
- Pennsauken
- Haddonfield
- Collingswood
- Gloucester
- Burlington
- Cherry Hill
- Marlton
- Mt. Laurel
- Voorhees
The Oakes Firm helps families on both sides of the river understand what went wrong and pursue justice.
Reporting Nursing Home Neglect in Pennsylvania
Families can file complaints with:
- PA Department of Health (DOH)
- PA Long-Term Care Ombudsman Office
Reporting neglect can protect your loved one and help others.
Philly Legal Connect: Your Bridge to the Best Lawyers in Philadelphia
Philly Legal Connect was built to help everyday people find top-quality lawyers quickly, without pressure or confusion.
When a serious injury occurs, you need more than Google searches — you need a trusted local source that understands:
- Philadelphia’s courts
- Local nursing home ratings
- Hospital standards
- Which firms actually focus on these cases
- Which firms consistently get results
That’s why PLC spotlights firms like The Oakes Firm:
a family-run, Philadelphia-rooted personal injury firm committed to advocating for victims of neglect.
Get Connected with The Oakes Firm Today
Your First Call for Injury Law
✔ Free Consultation
✔ No Fee Unless We Win
📞 (215) 883-4412
🔗 Get Connected: TheOakesFirm.com/contact/
If you believe a nursing home or hospital fall could have been prevented — it probably could have.
Philly Legal Connect will help you get answers, and The Oakes Firm will help you get justice.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are nursing home and hospital falls preventable?
Yes. Most falls are preventable when staff follow safety procedures, answer call bells promptly, assist with bathroom needs, and provide proper supervision. When these steps are ignored, facilities may be legally responsible.
2. What should I do immediately after my loved one falls?
Request the incident report, take photos of injuries and room conditions, ask for medication lists, document conversations with staff, and obtain ER or hospital records. Then contact an injury lawyer quickly—evidence can disappear.
3. When is a facility legally responsible for a fall?
Liability may exist when staff ignore call bells, leave high-risk residents unattended, fail to assist with mobility, overmedicate the patient, or fail to follow a fall-prevention plan. Unsafe conditions and understaffing are also major red flags.
4. What injuries are common in nursing home and hospital falls?
Fall injuries may include hip fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, internal bleeding, broken bones, or complications like infections or blood clots. Many of these cause long-term decline.
5. How much does it cost to hire The Oakes Firm?
The Oakes Firm provides a free consultation and charges no fee unless they win. They thoroughly investigate nursing home and hospital fall cases on behalf of injured patients and families.
Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is unique, and you should consult directly with an attorney regarding your specific situation. The Oakes Firm provides free consultations and can advise you on your rights. Prior results do not guarantee future outcomes.
