Nursing Home Slip and Fall Accidents in Chicago

Helping Victims and Family Members Recover Compensation for Fall-Related Injuries in Chicago Nursing Homes

At Slip & Fall Injury Lawyers, we help victims and families recover compensation for nursing home slip and fall accidents throughout Chicago. These incidents are a significant concern in long-term care facilities, especially when vulnerable residents are left without proper supervision or exposed to unsafe conditions. 

Whether it’s due to poor lighting, environmental hazards, or a lack of preventive measures, many fall injuries could have been avoided if nursing homes had taken appropriate steps to keep elderly residents safe. Our team focuses on holding negligent facilities accountable across the Chicago area and pursuing justice for the harm caused by preventable fall accidents.

Nursing Home Fall Settlements & Verdicts Recovered by Our Chicago Law Firm

Our Chicago law firm has decades of experience representing victims of slip and fall accidents in nursing homes and their families. We’ve secured significant settlements and verdicts by holding negligent nursing homes accountable for ignoring fall risks, violating care plans, and failing to protect elderly residents from preventable harm.

$1,700,000 settlement – Subdural hematoma and hip fracture after fall in South Side nursing home

Margaret, a longtime resident of a South Side nursing home facility, suffered a hip fracture and subdural hematoma after falling in her bathroom. Despite her known fall risk, the facility failed to provide adequate supervision or install grab bars. She was found hours later on the floor, confused and in pain. The severity of her injuries required surgery and left her permanently disabled. A history of prior falls, poor documentation, and multiple IDPH complaints against the facility contributed to the case value.

$735,000 settlement – Unsupervised wheelchair fall in Lincoln Park nursing home

Charles, a resident at a Lincoln Park nursing home, was left alone in a wheelchair with no wheel locks engaged or staff nearby. The wheelchair rolled backward, causing him to fall and suffer a broken leg along with compression fractures to his spine. The care plan clearly required close supervision due to his unstable condition, but staffing logs showed serious gaps. The facility’s failure to follow fall prevention measures and properly train staff factored into the settlement.

$299,000 settlement – Fell two days after admission in a West Side nursing home

Evelyn was admitted to a West Side nursing home after a hospital stay and assessed as a “full assist” patient. Just two days later, she fell while attempting to use the toilet without help, suffering a fractured hip. Staff failed to follow her care plan, and the facility lacked bed alarms or fall mats. The short time between admission and injury, along with clear violations of medical orders, helped establish nursing home negligence and increase case value.

Why Choose Us for Your Nursing Home Slip and Fall Case

At Slip & Fall Injury Lawyers, our team is widely respected for handling slip and fall accident cases in nursing with focus and determination. With decades of experience in elder abuse and neglect cases, we know how to hold Chicago nursing facilities accountable when they ignore preventive measures or fail to supervise elderly nursing home residents. 

Recognized by Super Lawyers and maintaining a perfect 10/10 Avvo rating, we’ve recovered over $500 million for victims of fall accidents and unsafe care. Whether the issue involves poor lighting, tripping hazards, or a lack of staff training, we fight for full compensation and lasting change.

What Leads to Falls in Chicago Nursing Homes?

Slip and fall accidents in Chicago nursing homes often result from avoidable conditions that reflect deeper problems within long-term care environments. One of the leading causes is chronic understaffing, which limits proper supervision and increases risks of falls for elderly nursing home residents. 

Facilities may also ignore or fail to follow individualized fall-risk assessments, leaving residents without the support they need. Unsafe flooring, wet surfaces, and environmental hazards like clutter or tripping hazards add to the danger. Inadequate grab bars, missing handrails, or the absence of fall mats near beds and in bathrooms can make everyday movements hazardous. Poor lighting in hallways and resident rooms also contributes to fall injuries. 

In some cases, staff delay responding to call lights, forcing residents to move on their own, even when it’s unsafe. These preventable falls often stem from nursing home negligence, and families deserve answers—and accountability—when fall accidents happen.

What Are Common Injuries Caused by Slips and Falls in Chicago Nursing Homes?

Slip and fall accidents in Chicago nursing homes can lead to serious, life-altering injuries for older adults. Hip fracturesand broken bones, especially broken femurs, are among the most common outcomes. These injuries often require surgery and long recovery periods, putting elderly nursing home residents at greater risk of complications. 

Head trauma, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), can result in long-term cognitive decline or even permanent disability. Some residents suffer spinal injuries or compression fractures, making it difficult or impossible to regain mobility. Subdural hematomas—bleeding on the brain—are especially dangerous and may not be immediately detected. 

For many, complications from immobility after a fall, such as infections or blood clots, can be fatal. Beyond physical harm, nursing home fall injuries often cause deep emotional trauma, including fear of walking again. This loss of confidence can severely impact a resident’s quality of life and independence.

What Compensation Is Available After a Nursing Home Slip and Fall in Chicago?

After a slip and fall accident in a nursing home, victims and their family members may be entitled to significant compensation. Recoverable damages often include medical expenses for emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, and long-term rehabilitation. Many injuries leave elderly residents with lasting disabilities or reduced independence, making compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of quality of life essential. 

If the injuries result in death, surviving relatives may pursue a wrongful death claim to recover funeral costs and other losses. Families may also be compensated for the cost of relocating their loved one to a safer nursing home facility or assisted living facility. In some cases, family members can seek damages for the emotional toll and disruption caused by the loved one’s injuries. Every case is different, but financial recovery plays a vital role in helping victims move forward and avoid further harm.

What Is the Average Nursing Home Slip and Fall Payout?

According to Law.com‘s VerdictSearch, the average payout for nursing home slip and fall cases is $6,340,227, while the median settlement is $450,000. These figures reflect a wide range of outcomes, heavily influenced by case-specific details.

Several factors impact the value of a nursing home fall claim:

• Age and health: Older residents with limited life expectancy or pre-existing conditions may receive lower awards unless the fall clearly accelerated decline or caused serious injuries.
• Severity of injury: Cases involving hip fractures, head trauma, or even death tend to result in higher settlements than minor injuries.
• Negligence: Clear evidence of nursing home negligence—such as ignored care plans, poor staffing, or environmental hazards—can significantly increase case value.
• Signs of neglect: Unreported falls, delays in treatment, or a pattern of past incidents can also raise the value by supporting punitive damages or demonstrating systemic failures.

Each case is different, but documented harm and preventability are key drivers of compensation.

Example Nursing Home Slip and Fall Injury Cases

$200 Million Verdict for Fatal Stairway Fall – Estate of Elvira Nunziata

Elvira Nunziata, 92, died after falling down an emergency stairwell while strapped into her wheelchair at a Florida nursing home. Her son alleged she had dementia, was prone to wandering, and should have been monitored. The facility’s alarms failed, and staff did not find her for nearly an hour. 

Former employees testified about understaffing and poor care, and experts pointed to financial motives by corporate owners. The jury awarded $200 million, including $140 million in punitive damages, after finding the management entity, Trans Health Management, liable for years of neglect and fatal failures in resident safety and supervision.

$32.9 Million Verdict for Repeated Falls and Neglect – Estate of Cheatum Myers

Cheatum Myers, 89, fell at least eight times at an NHC nursing facility in McMinnville, Tennessee. After his final fall, he sustained a hip fracture that went untreated for a week. He later developed pressure ulcers, contractures, urosepsis, and died following a heart attack. His daughters alleged poor staffing, inadequate care, and ignored fall interventions. 

The jury awarded $4.1 million in compensatory damages and $28.6 million in punitive damages, though some punitive awards were later vacated. The jury found all defendants negligent but not directly liable for causing his death. Myers had also suffered spinal fractures and disfigurement.

$1.5 Million Verdict for Bathroom Fall and Bedsores – Estate of Victoria Popielski

Victoria Popielski, 80, fractured her arm after being left unattended in a restroom at a Buffalo skilled nursing facility for over three hours. Her son alleged chronic understaffing, poor supervision, and failure to follow repositioning protocols, which led to bedsores and dehydration. The facility argued she had access to a call bell and denied abandonment. 

However, it admitted it had no documentation showing she was turned regularly. The jury found Maplewood Health Care Center fully liable and awarded $1.5 million, all for pain and suffering, related to her injuries and the lack of proper care before her death.

$1.34 Million Verdict for Fall and Delayed Care – Elaine Stinson

Elaine Stinson, 82, suffered a fall at a California care facility after staff failed to supervise her during dinner, despite knowing she had Alzheimer’s and was a documented fall risk. She sustained head trauma, fractured ribs, and a punctured lung. The facility failed to notify her doctor or family until the next day. Her husband called 911 upon discovering her injuries. 

The jury found the facility and its owner liable for negligence and elder abuse, awarding $1,338,000, including $750,000 in punitive damages. Stinson recovered after a 10-month stay in a skilled nursing facility following the incident.

$597,000 Verdict for Wheelchair Fall and Fractured Leg – Francine Collins

Francine Collins, a resident with multiple neurological conditions, suffered a fractured tibia after falling at Philadelphia Nursing Home during an alleged five-hour period of unsupervised wheelchair use. Her family claimed the facility, operated by Episcopal Long Term Care, was severely understaffed and failed to check on her regularly. 

Testimony from former staff and experts supported the claim of negligent care and poor supervision. The defense argued Collins had freedom of movement and healed fully without complications. A Philadelphia jury awarded $597,593.53, including $500,000 for pain and suffering.

Why You Need a Lawyer for a Nursing Home Slip and Fall Case in Chicago

In many fall cases in Chicago, facilities deny responsibility or try to shift blame, often claiming the resident “was a fall risk anyway.” They may withhold incident reports, downplay fall hazards, or fail to preserve evidence. That’s why having an experienced lawyer is essential. 

At Slip & Fall Injury Lawyers, we know how to uncover the truth. We carefully review medical records, examine fall prevention protocols, and obtain facility inspection reports. Our team investigates whether nursing homes violated safety regulations or ignored known risk factors. We also determine if staff failed to provide adequate supervision or respond to call lights in time. 

If necessary, we file claims through the Illinois court system and fight for the compensation victims and family members deserve. Without legal representation, it’s far too easy for negligent nursing homes to avoid accountability for injuries caused by falls they could have prevented.

How Common Are Nursing Home Falls in Chicago?

A study led by Dr. Prachi Sanghavi, assistant professor of public health sciences at the University of Chicago, uncovered significant underreporting of nursing home falls. Her research, covering data from 2011 to 2015, compared Medicare claims with the Minimum Data Set (MDS)—a self-reported tool used in Medicare’s Nursing Home Compare ratings. 

It found that only 57.5% of actual falls were captured in the MDS system. Reporting rates varied by resident demographics: falls involving white residents were documented 59% of the time, compared to just 46% for non-white residents. Falls during long-term stays were reported more often (62.9%) than those involving short-term residents (47.1%).

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), falls remain a top cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI) among adults 65 and older in Illinois, accounting for 37% of TBI-related deaths and 56% of hospitalizations tied to TBI in this age group.

In 2022, Illinois reported over 2.1 million falls among older adults. These incidents led to 1,184 deaths, 21,912 hospital admissions, and 114,686 emergency room visits where patients were treated and released. The data reflects a serious public health issue and underscores the urgent need for consistent fall prevention efforts in nursing homes and other long-term care settings.

Where Do Nursing Home Falls Occur Most Often in Chicago?

Nursing home falls in Chicago often happen in predictable places where preventive measures are either missing or ignored. One of the most dangerous areas is the resident bathroom, especially when elderly nursing home residents are left to bathe or use the toilet without proper supervision. 

Shared showers with wet floors and no grab bars or non-slip mats are also high-risk. Falls frequently occur in hallways during unsupervised ambulation or in dining halls and activity rooms, where clutter and tripping hazards are common. 

Many falls happen while elderly residents are being transferred from bed to wheelchair or to the toilet, especially if proper training or equipment is lacking. In Chicago, we see these incidents regularly in skilled nursing facilities along the Cicero Avenue corridor, and in neighborhoods like Jefferson Park and South Shore. Wherever nursing homes fail to keep residents safe, fall injuries can and do happen.

What Laws Apply to Nursing Home Fall Injury Claims in Chicago?

The Illinois Nursing Home Care Act (210 ILCS 45/) sets minimum standards for nursing homes in Illinois, including the duty to protect elderly residents from foreseeable harm, such as fall injuries. Facilities must follow care plans, maintain safe environments, and ensure staff are trained to provide adequate fall prevention and supervision.

Under the Illinois Premises Liability Act (740 ILCS 130/), nursing home facilities must keep their premises reasonably safe for residents and visitors. Failure to correct fall hazards—like wet floors, poor lighting, or tripping hazards—can make a nursing home liable for slip and fall injuries due to negligent maintenance or unsafe conditions.

CMS guideline F689 requires nursing homes to assess each resident’s fall risk and take steps to prevent falls, including providing assistive devices and supervision, as well as eliminating hazards. Noncompliance may signal nursing home negligence and lead to serious regulatory consequences.

The case of Harris v. ManorCare of Hinsdale, 2012 IL App (1st) 110684-U, emphasized a facility’s duty to monitor fall-risk residents and follow individualized care plans. The court held that failing to implement known preventive measures can support claims of nursing home negligence, especially when serious injuries result from preventable falls.

How Long Do I Have to File a Nursing Home Fall Lawsuit in Chicago?

Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, you generally have two years from the date of the nursing home fall to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, time limits may differ for wrongful death or medical negligence claims. Acting quickly protects your rights and preserves vital evidence.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Nursing Home Fall in Chicago?

Several parties may be held legally responsible for a nursing home fall in Chicago, depending on how the fall injuries occurred. Nursing home operators or administrators can be liable for failing to prevent falls, provide adequate supervision, or respond to resident needs. 

In many cases, large corporate owners—especially national chains—control staffing levels, budgets, and policies, and can be held accountable for systemic neglect. If an individual staff member acts with gross negligence, such as ignoring known risks, they may also be named in a claim. Liability can extend to outside contractors as well, particularly if hazards, like defective flooring or broken equipment, contributed to the fall accident. 

Our law firm conducts in-depth investigations to uncover ownership structures and identify every responsible party. In many cases, vicarious liability allows victims to hold the broader facility accountable for staff misconduct or oversight failures.

Common Defenses in Nursing Home Fall Lawsuits

In nursing home fall lawsuits, facilities often use several common defenses to avoid liability. One is claiming the resident was a known fall risk, and the injury was “unavoidable.” We challenge this by showing the facility failed to follow fall prevention protocols. 

Another tactic is citing an arbitration agreement or waiver signed by the family, yet many of these are unenforceable or don’t cover negligent nursing homes. Facilities may also argue that the fall wasn’t witnessed and there’s no proof of wrongdoing. We counter with medical records, staff logs, and any available surveillance. 

If they claim the fall was due to aging or an obvious hazard, we investigate prior incidents and facility policy violations to show the harm was preventable.

How to Build a Strong Nursing Home Fall Case in Chicago

Building a strong nursing home fall case in Chicago starts with quick action from family members and advocates. 

First, request all incident reports, care plans, and medical records related to the loved one’s fall. These documents can reveal whether the nursing home followed its fall prevention measures or ignored clear risk factors. Photograph visible fall injuries, such as broken bones or bruises, as well as the area where the slip and fall accident occurred. 

File a formal complaint with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) or a local Ombudsman to create an official record. Have the elderly nursing home resident examined by an outside physician for an unbiased medical opinion.

Most importantly, contact a lawyer early. Our team can issue preservation requests, gather surveillance footage, and investigate staffing levels or prior fall cases at the facility. Early legal involvement helps protect your loved one and strengthens your claim.

How a Chicago Nursing Home Fall Attorney Can Help

A Chicago nursing home fall attorney plays a critical role in uncovering how and why fall injuries happen. At Slip & Fall Injury Lawyers, we investigate regulatory violations, review past IDPH complaints, and examine the facility’s history of nursing home falls. Our team analyzes staffing levels, care logs, and whether fall prevention protocols were followed. 

We work with medical and elder care experts to understand the full impact of your loved one’s injuries. When needed, we file lawsuits against corporate chains operating nursing facilities in Cook County and surrounding areas. If a slip and fall leads to wrongful death, we pursue full compensation for the family.

FAQs

How much does a nursing home slip and fall attorney cost?

We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront. Our fee is collected only if we win your case. This allows families to pursue compensation without added financial stress after a nursing home fall.

Who can sue for a nursing home fall in Chicago?

Lawsuits can be filed by the injured resident, their legal guardian, or the estate if the fall resulted in death. Our firm ensures the correct party brings the claim under Illinois law and represents the resident’s best interests.

Can a nursing home be sued if a resident falls more than once?

Yes. Repeated fall accidents often show that the facility failed to follow care plans or ignored clear risks. Multiple preventable falls may indicate nursing home negligence or a dangerous pattern of inadequate supervision.

What if my loved one is non-verbal or has dementia?

A resident’s cognitive limitations do not excuse unsafe care. We rely on medical records, care plans, witness statements, and expert review to prove negligence, even when the resident can’t speak for themselves.

Are nursing homes required to report falls?

Yes. Under state and federal rules, nursing homes must document and report fall injuries, especially when they involve serious injuries. Failure to report a fall may point to a cover-up or broader care violations.

What are the fall risks associated with elderly nursing home residents?

Elderly residents face increased risks of falls due to poor vision, medication side effects, mobility issues, and chronic health conditions. Facilities are required to assess these risks and implement fall prevention plans based on each resident’s needs.

Who investigates nursing home fall injuries in Illinois?

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) investigates complaints involving fall-related injuries. They review care records, interview staff, and assess whether the facility violated safety standards or failed to prevent foreseeable harm.

What is negligence?

Negligence is a legal concept based on four elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages. In nursing home fall cases, the facility has a duty to keep residents safe and implement reasonable fall prevention measures. If they breach that duty—by ignoring risk factors, failing to supervise, or allowing unsafe conditions—and the resident suffers harm as a result, the facility may be liable for injuries caused. This includes compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and future care needs.

What is the right to fall?

The “right to fall” is often misinterpreted by nursing homes to downplay responsibility. While elderly residents have autonomy and the right to make choices about their mobility, that doesn’t mean facilities are off the hook. Nursing homes are still required to assess a resident’s fall risk and take steps to prevent foreseeable harm. Allowing residents freedom doesn’t excuse lack of supervision or timely responses to call lights, especially when serious injuries are at stake.

Are nursing home falls preventable?

Yes, many nursing home falls are entirely preventable with proper care. Fall prevention measures such as bed alarms, grab bars, staff supervision, and adequate training can significantly reduce injury risks for elderly nursing home residents.

How can nursing homes prevent falls?

Facilities must assess each resident’s fall risk, maintain safe environments, and implement support strategies like bed rails, non-slip flooring, adequate supervision, timely responses to call lights, and use of assistive devices. Ignoring these steps often leads to preventable fall-related injuries.

Book a Free Consultation

If your loved one suffered a fall in a Chicago nursing home, don’t wait to get answers. At Slip & Fall Injury Lawyers, we offer a free consultation to review your case and explain your legal options. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. 

With years of experience handling nursing home fall lawsuits, we have the resources to investigate fall injuries, expose nursing home negligence, and pursue full accountability. Contact us today to speak with an attorney who understands what your family is going through.