When Repeated Nursing Home Falls and Bed Sores in Western Pennsylvania Point to Neglect
Falls in a nursing home are almost never “just part of getting old.” When a loved one in a Western Pennsylvania facility falls again and again, develops bed sores or shows up with unexplained bruises, it can be a sign that the nursing home is not doing its job.
Across the United States, about one in four adults 65 and older reports a fall each year, and millions of those falls lead to injuries that require medical treatment or limit activity. In nursing homes, falls are especially dangerous. Older CDC data show that thousands of residents die every year from fall-related injuries, while many more suffer broken hips, head trauma, and permanent loss of independence.
At Tarasi & Tarasi P.C., we see how often these “accidents” trace back to understaffing, poor supervision, and basic neglect. Our Pittsburgh nursing home abuse lawyers help families across Western Pennsylvania hold facilities accountable when they fail to protect vulnerable residents.
In this post, we explain why repeated falls, pressure ulcers, and unexplained injuries are red flags for neglect, what standards nursing homes are supposed to follow under Pennsylvania and federal law, and what steps families in Pittsburgh and surrounding counties can take if they suspect something is wrong.
When Is A Nursing Home Fall More Than A “Simple Accident”?
We all know that older adults are more likely to fall than younger people. Age-related changes in balance, vision, and muscle strength raise the risk. But in a nursing home, staff are supposed to anticipate those risks and act to prevent them.
Federal regulations for long-term care facilities require each facility to provide the care and services needed “to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being” of each resident. That includes assessing fall risk and putting safety measures in place.
A single fall may not automatically point to neglect. However, patterns should alarm us:
- A resident who falls multiple times in a short period
- A resident with dementia who keeps wandering or falling without added supervision
- Falls that occur in the same location or situation over and over
If the nursing home knows a resident is at high risk and still fails to put reasonable protections in place, repeated falls may be the result of neglect rather than bad luck.
How facilities should be preventing falls
Under federal and Pennsylvania regulations, nursing homes have several core responsibilities:
- Perform a thorough assessment when a resident is admitted and at regular intervals
- Develop a comprehensive, person-centered care plan that addresses specific risks such as fall risk, mobility issues, and cognitive impairment
- Provide enough trained staff to carry out that care plan and supervise residents who need help walking or transferring
- Keep the environment reasonably safe, such as by clearing clutter, improving lighting, and using grab bars where appropriate
When we review fall cases, we often find that these basic steps were ignored or only half-done
Bed Sores, Dehydration, And Other Signs Of Nursing Home Neglect
Falls are only one piece of the puzzle. Bed sores, unexplained weight loss, frequent infections, and sudden changes in behavior can also signal neglect.
Bed sores are rarely “just part of aging”
Pressure ulcers, often called bed sores, form when someone is left in the same position for too long, especially on bony areas like heels, hips, tailbone, and elbows. Medical and legal guidance for Pennsylvania facilities makes clear that many serious bed sores are preventable with proper turning, skin checks, nutrition, and hydration.
If a nursing home resident in Western Pennsylvania develops stage 3 or stage 4 pressure ulcers, that often means:
- Staff are not repositioning them as often as needed
- The facility is not giving enough attention to nutrition and fluid intake
- Skin checks and wound care are inconsistent or poorly documented
Under federal rules, “neglect” includes failure to provide the goods and services necessary to avoid physical harm, pain, or emotional distress. Allowing bed sores to develop or worsen can meet that definition.
Other warning signs families should watch for
Beyond falls and bed sores, some common red flags for Pennsylvania nursing home neglect include:
- Unexplained bruises or fractures that staff cannot clearly explain
- Frequent trips to the ER for injuries or infections
- Sudden or severe weight loss that is not tied to a known medical condition
- Signs of dehydration, such as dry mouth, confusion, and reduced urine output
- Poor hygiene, including soiled clothing or bedding, strong odors, and long or dirty fingernails
- Sharp personality changes, such as sudden fearfulness, withdrawal, or agitation in the presence of certain staff members
Pennsylvania nursing home residents have the right to be treated with dignity, to receive adequate, appropriate care, and to live free from abuse and neglect. If those basic rights are being violated, we consider that a serious problem that demands action.
Pennsylvania And Federal Standards For Nursing Home Care
Families often feel powerless in the face of a large facility or corporate chain. It helps to know that nursing homes in Western Pennsylvania are governed by a combination of federal and state rules.
Federal regulations
Most nursing homes are certified to participate in Medicare and Medicaid and must follow detailed federal regulations found in 42 C.F.R. Part 483. These rules require facilities to:
- Protect residents from abuse, neglect, and exploitation
- Create and follow individualized care plans
- Conduct regular assessments for risks such as falls, malnutrition, and pressure ulcers
- Provide sufficient nursing staff to meet residents’ needs
- Maintain a safe physical environment
The federal State Operations Manual gives surveyors guidance on how to inspect facilities and cite violations. It specifically highlights obligations related to resident rights, quality of care, nursing services, infection control, and more.
In Pennsylvania, the Department of Health licenses and inspects nursing homes. Facilities are supposed to be surveyed at least annually to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements.
If a facility violates standards for staffing, safety, or resident care, the Department can:
- Issue citations and fines
- Require corrective action
- Limit admissions or, in severe cases, revoke a license
The state also operates a process for filing complaints about nursing homes, and it encourages people to report suspected neglect, abuse, or unsafe conditions.
When we pursue a nursing home neglect case, we often review the facility’s inspection history. Repeated citations for staffing shortfalls, infection control problems, or failure to monitor residents are powerful evidence that a fall or bed sore is part of a larger pattern.
Why Understaffing Is At The Heart Of Many Neglect Cases
We see a common thread in many Western Pennsylvania nursing home negligence cases. There are simply not enough qualified staff members on the floor.
Analyses of nursing home staffing in Pennsylvania and neighboring states show that many facilities fall short of even proposed federal minimums. That scarcity means residents wait longer for help to the bathroom, spend more time alone in bed or in wheelchairs, and receive fewer safety checks and skin assessments.
When one aide is responsible for far too many residents, it becomes nearly impossible to:
- Respond quickly when a resident tries to get up unassisted
- Make sure call lights are answered promptly
- Provide careful hands-on help with transfers from bed to chair
- Reposition residents at risk of bed sores on a consistent schedule
Facilities have a legal duty to staff adequately for the needs of their residents. Cutting corners to save money and then blaming “old age” when residents fall or develop ulcers is not acceptable and can be a form of neglect.
What Families In Western Pennsylvania Can Do If They Suspect Neglect
If your loved one is in a nursing home in Pittsburgh or anywhere in Western Pennsylvania and you suspect neglect or abuse, there are practical steps you can take.
1. Document everything
We encourage families to keep careful notes, including:
- Dates and times of falls, injuries, or hospital visits
- Names of staff involved and what they told you
- Photographs of bruises, bed sores, or unsafe conditions
- Copies of incident reports, care plans, and discharge summaries, if available
These details can make a huge difference if we later pursue a claim as Pittsburgh nursing home abuse lawyers.
2. Ask direct questions
We suggest that families calmly but firmly ask the facility:
- How did this injury happen
- What changes will you make to prevent it from happening again
- Has my loved one’s care plan been updated
- What is the current fall-risk or pressure-ulcer assessment
If answers are vague, dismissive, or inconsistent, that is another red flag.
3. Get medical evaluation
Outside medical professionals can help clarify whether an injury or bed sore is consistent with an unavoidable decline or more likely due to neglect. Hospital doctors and wound-care specialists can document their findings and may note concerns about care quality.
4. File a complaint with Pennsylvania authorities
In Pennsylvania, families can file a complaint with the Department of Health if they believe a nursing home is providing substandard care or violating resident rights. Complaints can be made online, by phone, or in writing and can be anonymous. The Department can investigate, inspect the facility, and, when appropriate, take enforcement action. We often suggest that families also contact the Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, which advocates for residents and can help address issues with a facility.
5. Talk with an experienced Pennsylvania nursing home neglect attorney
Legal advice is critical in serious cases. When a fall leads to a broken hip, a brain injury, or death, or when advanced bed sores develop, the stakes are simply too high to go it alone.
As Pennsylvania nursing home neglect attorneys, we can:
- Review medical records and facility documentation
- Evaluate whether the facts support a neglect or abuse claim
- Identify all potentially responsible parties, including corporate owners
- Work with medical and nursing experts to explain how the standard of care was violated
- Seek compensation for medical costs, pain and suffering, and wrongful death where applicable
How Tarasi & Tarasi P.C. Helps Families After Nursing Home Falls And Neglect
Tarasi & Tarasi P.C. is a Pittsburgh-based law firm that represents injury victims throughout Western Pennsylvania, including victims of nursing home abuse and neglect.
Our practice focuses on:
- Personal injury, including serious falls and wrongful death
- Nursing home and long-term care abuse and neglect
- Real estate and related disputes that can affect seniors and their families
With decades of experience, recognition in publications such as Super Lawyers, and a track record of advocating for victims, we understand both the legal and emotional sides of these cases.
When we take on a Western Pennsylvania nursing home neglect case, we:
- Listen carefully to your story and your concerns
- Investigate the facility’s history of violations and complaints
- Analyze whether staff failed to follow care plans, ignored fall risk, or allowed bed sores to develop
- Consult with experts to prove what should have been done differently
- Fight for accountability and compensation through negotiation or, when necessary, litigation
We approach every case with compassion for the resident and their family and determination to improve conditions for other residents by shining a light on dangerous practices.
Contact Tarasi & Tarasi P.C. Today for a Consultation About Your Case
If your parent, spouse, or other loved one has suffered repeated falls, severe bed sores, or unexplained injuries in a nursing home in Pittsburgh or anywhere in Western Pennsylvania, we want you to know that you are not alone and that you have options.
At Tarasi & Tarasi P.C., our Pittsburgh nursing home abuse lawyers understand how complex these situations can be. Facilities may downplay what happened, blame the resident’s age or medical conditions, or hide behind confusing paperwork. Our job is to cut through that noise and focus on the truth.
When you contact us for a consultation, we can:
- Review the facts of your loved one’s injuries and medical history
- Evaluate whether Pennsylvania nursing home neglect or abuse laws may have been violated
- Explain your legal options in clear terms
- Discuss possible next steps, including investigation, filing complaints with state agencies, and pursuing a civil claim.
We represent families throughout Western Pennsylvania and are committed to seeking justice, accountability, and safer conditions for all residents.
To speak with a Pennsylvania nursing home neglect attorney at Tarasi & Tarasi P.C., please call our Pittsburgh office or contact us online to request a consultation. We are ready to listen and to help you decide the best path forward for your family.
Disclaimer: The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
