Falls in Nursing Homes in Chicago and Illinois
Protecting Seniors from Preventable Injuries
I’ve represented many families across Illinois whose loved ones suffered serious or fatal injuries after falling in nursing homes. These cases are especially painful because most of these falls were preventable.
At Phillips Law Offices, we help families uncover what went wrong, hold negligent facilities accountable, and recover compensation for medical costs, pain, and loss. When a resident falls, it’s rarely “just an accident.” It’s often the result of poor supervision, inadequate staffing, or unsafe conditions, all of which are violations of the law and basic human decency.
Why Falls Are So Dangerous in Nursing Homes
Falls are the leading cause of serious injury and death among nursing home residents. According to the CDC, roughly 75% of nursing home residents fall each year, nearly twice the rate of older adults living independently.
Even a “simple” fall can lead to life-altering harm, including:
- Hip or pelvic fractures
- Head trauma and brain injuries
- Broken arms or legs
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
- Permanent disability and loss of mobility
Beyond the physical harm, residents who have fallen often live in fear of falling again. That fear can cause anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal, further diminishing their quality of life.
How Negligence Leads to Falls
In my experience, most falls in nursing homes are not the resident’s fault, they’re the result of neglect. Facilities are legally required to assess fall risk and create a care plan that keeps residents safe. When they cut corners, residents suffer.
Common causes of nursing home falls include:
- Wet or unmarked floors
- Poor lighting in rooms or hallways
- Tripping hazards such as cords or clutter
- Missing or broken bedrails and handrails
- Failure to help residents use the bathroom or walk safely
- Ignoring mobility restrictions or medication side effects
- Faulty call buttons or ignored alarms
- Insufficient or untrained staff
Nursing homes may claim, “Falls happen with age.” But that’s not a defense under Illinois law. Every facility must provide a safe environment and individualized fall prevention plan for each resident. When they fail, they can, and should be held liable.
Legal Standards Under Illinois Law
The Illinois Nursing Home Care Act (210 ILCS 45/) and Illinois Administrative Code require facilities to:
- Assess every resident’s fall risk upon admission
- Develop and follow a personalized care plan
- Maintain safe premises (clean floors, working lights, grab bars)
- Train staff on safe transfer and mobility techniques
- Report all accidents and injuries promptly
- When these rules are ignored, the facility may be liable for negligence.
When Falls Lead to Wrongful Death
Tragically, not all residents survive their injuries. Each year, an estimated 1,800 nursing home residents die nationwide due to fall-related trauma.
When a loved one passes away because a facility failed to provide proper care or supervision, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim under Illinois law.
Our firm has extensive experience handling these emotionally difficult cases. We work to secure justice and financial relief for families while ensuring facilities make lasting safety improvements.
How Phillips Law Offices Investigates Nursing Home Fall Cases
When you contact us, we take immediate action to preserve evidence and uncover what caused the fall. Our process often includes:
- Reviewing medical and incident reports
- Interviewing witnesses and staff members
- Examining photos or surveillance footage
- Consulting fall-prevention and geriatric care experts
- Determining whether Illinois safety regulations were violated
We build a strong case that shows exactly how the nursing home facility’s negligence led to your loved one’s injuries or death.
What Compensation May Be Available
Families may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical and rehabilitation expenses
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
- Disability or reduced quality of life
- Funeral and burial costs (in fatal cases)
- Punitive damages, when conduct was reckless or intentional
We handle every case on a contingency fee basis meaning you pay nothing unless we recover money for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing Home Falls
Are nursing homes legally responsible for falls?
Yes, if the fall was caused by unsafe conditions, lack of supervision, or failure to follow a resident’s care plan. These are all forms of negligence under Illinois law.
What if the nursing home says my loved one “fell on their own”?
That’s a common excuse. Our investigations often reveal that staff ignored call lights, skipped safety checks, or failed to use assistive devices all preventable causes.
How do I prove neglect caused a fall?
Evidence can include staff logs, witness statements, medical reports, and expert testimony. Our team knows how to obtain and interpret these records.
Can we sue even if the resident already had balance problems?
Yes. Preexisting conditions increase the facility’s responsibility to provide supervision and fall-prevention measures not lessen it.
What happens if the fall leads to death?
Families can pursue a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation for loss of companionship, funeral costs, and the resident’s suffering before death.
Talk to an Illinois Nursing Home Fall Attorney Today
If your loved one suffered a fall in a nursing home or assisted living facility, you deserve answers. At Phillips Law Offices, we’ve spent decades holding negligent facilities accountable across Chicago and throughout Illinois.
We’ll investigate what happened, determine if safety laws were violated, and pursue the compensation your family deserves.
📞 Call +1 312-346-4262 for a free consultation
📍 Phillips Law Offices, 161 N Clark St, Suite 4925, Chicago, IL 60601
💬 No fees unless we win your case