Subdural Hematoma due to Nursing Home Fall

Written by Adam Peck Category: Assisted Living Abuse and Neglect November 18th, 2022 3 min read

Subdural Hematoma due to Nursing Home Fall

When our loved ones are in the care of a nursing home, we want to believe that they are in the safest possible place. Unfortunately, nursing home injuries are more common than many people realize. Falls are the leading cause of nursing home injuries and can have devastating consequences, including subdural hematomas.

If you or a loved one has suffered a subdural hematoma / brain bleed due to a nursing home fall, you may have grounds for a lawsuit. Call the Peck Law Group at 866-999-9085 or fill out the form on our site for a free case evaluation.

What is a Subdural Hematoma?

A subdural hematoma occurs when a blood vessel is damaged and leaks beneath the dura mater, a membrane between the brain and skull. The leaking blood causes a hematoma, which is a blood pool or clot that puts pressure on the brain.

Subdural hematomas can cause headaches, confusion, drowsiness, nausea and vomiting, vision issues, slurred speech, breathing problems, paralysis, seizures, loss of consciousness and even death. Brain bleeds are most commonly caused by severe head injuries, like those from a fall or a car crash.

In older adults, subdural hematomas can be caused by even minor head injuries or bumps to the head. As we age, the brain shrinks and the membranes between the brain and the skull are stretched. This makes veins in the membranes more vulnerable to tears and bleeds.

Nursing home residents taking anticoagulants or blood thinners are also at higher risk of subdural hematoma. Blood thinners slow down or stop blood clotting, which can cause bleeding to be excessive and long-lasting.

The effects of subdural hematoma may begin within 24 hours of a resident’s fall, or they may take up to two weeks to appear. After a fall, any head injury should be taken seriously and examined by a doctor, even if the resident is not experiencing symptoms. Most subdural hematomas require surgical drainage.

Was it Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect?

Falls are extremely common in nursing homes, and not all nursing home falls are caused by nursing home abuse or neglect. Some questions to consider as you process whether the fall was caused by abuse or neglect include:

Was the fall caused by a hazard in the nursing home?
Did the resident fall because they were unable to get help from the staff?
Did the nursing home fail to assess the resident for a health condition that caused the fall or worsened the injury?
Did improper administration of prescription medication contribute to the fall?
Did the lack of a protective or mobility device, like a bed rail or walker, contribute to the fall?

The Peck Law Group’s experienced subdural hematoma lawyers can evaluate whether the nursing home may be liable in your or your loved one’s specific case.

With offices throughout California, we leverage decades of experience in elder and personal injury law to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients. Call 866-999-9085 or fill out the form on our site for your free case evaluation.

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Written by Adam Peck

Expertise: Personal Injury

Adam J. Peck, ESQ is a principal with Peck Law Group, APC. In 2008, Mr. Adam Peck received his Juris Doctorate from Whittier Law School where he graduated Cum Laude. His practice is primarily dedicated to representing Elders, Dependent Adults, along with their loved ones and family members, who have suffered horrific personal injuries.