brain injuries from fall may have resulted in man’s death

Because of the injuries that can result, Delaware hospitals and medical institutions have policies and procedures in place to prevent patient falls. Bed alarms, signs, bed rail use, staff or family supervision are all methods hospitals use to prevent patient falls. Despite prevention, falls still occur. One patient in another state suffered a fall and died three days later. His family has filed a medical malpractice law suit against the medical facility, believing the brain injuries that the patient suffered may have resulted in his death.

The 87-year-old patient was admitted to the hospital almost a month prior to his death. He had many medical complaints, including pneumonia, urinary incontinence, possible heart attack and decreased mental capacity. According to records, he was classified as a patient with a high risk for falling early in his hospital stay. Despite knowledge that he was at high risk for falls, allegedly he was alone when he fell.

Allegedly, the family was not notified of the patient’s fall that knocked him unconscious and led to his death a few days later. The family asserts that lack of staff and negligent management of the patient’s health needs contributed to the patient’s death. The hospital released a statement that it would not comment on the lawsuit while it is still pending.

brain injuries from any fall at any age can result in significant health problems for any patient. Injuries can result increased medical expenses, therapy bills, decreased quality of life and even death. Delaware medical malpractice attorneys can advise patients, including the surviving families of deceased patients, of their litigation and legal rights in civil court to possibly recoup unexpected monetary loss.

Source: vctar.com, “Elder abuse suit filed against T.O. hospital“, Tom Kisken, May 21, 2017