If you or a loved one suffered a hip fracture while a resident in a nursing home, you may be entitled to recover compensation from a nursing home hip fracture lawsuit case or settlement claim.
A team of personal injury lawyers and nursing home injury attorneys is investigating potential nursing home hip fracture lawsuit cases and settlement claims of individuals who suffered from a hip fracture while a resident in a nursing home or long-term care facility.
A hip fracture is an injury that occurs when the upper part of the femur (thigh bone) breaks near the hip joint. It usually happens when an older adult falls and lands on their side or hip; but, in people with osteoporosis, a hip fracture can occur from minor trauma or twisting movements.
Hip fractures are one of the most common types of bone fracture injury suffered by nursing home residents. It has been estimated that about 23,000 nursing home residents in the U.S. fracture their hip each year. Unfortunately, hip fractures can lead to serious health problem such as severe pain, loss of mobility, need for surgery, long recovery periods, and life-threatening complications such as infections, blood clots, pneumonia, and death. Tragically, many residents never regain their previous level of independence after a hip fracture, making it one of the most severe and consequential injuries that can occur in a nursing home.
Nursing home hip fracture injury victims (and their families) are now coming forward and filing nursing home hip fracture lawsuits seeking compensation and justice for the harm they have suffered.
Nursing Home Hip Fracture Lawsuits: Overview
- What Are Nursing Home Hip Fracture Lawsuits About?
- Who May Qualify For a Nursing Home Hip Fracture Lawsuit?
- What Is A Hip Fracture Injury?
- Are Hip Fracture Injuries Common In Nursing Homes?
- Are Nursing Home Hip Fractures Usually Caused By Falls?
- How Do Hip Fractures Happen From Nursing Home Falls?
- Can Nursing Homes Be Held Liable For Hip Fracture Injuries?
- What Are Signs That A Resident Suffered A Hip Fracture?
- What Are Possible Complications From Hip Fracture Injury?
- What Treatments Can Residents With Hip Fractures Receive?
- Can Compensation Be Recovered In A Bone Fracture Lawsuit?
- Is There A Deadline To File a Nursing Home Hip Fracture Lawsuit?
- Request A Free Case Review From A Hip Fracture Injury Lawyer
Nursing Home Hip Fracture Lawsuits & Settlements
Nursing home hip fracture injury lawsuit cases and settlement claims potentially being investigated include those involving nursing home residents who, after suffering a fall at nursing home or long-term care facility, suffered from broken hip bones or hip fractures, including:
- Hip fractures
- Intertrochanteric hip fractures
- Femoral neck (intracapsular) hip fractures
- Subtrochanteric hip fractures
- Femoral head hip fractures
- Osteoporotic hip fractures
- Pathological hip fractures
- Stress or insufficiency hip fractures
- Transverse hip fractures
- Oblique hip fractures
- Spiral hip fractures
- Comminuted hip fractures
- Other nursing home hip fracture cases
- Other nursing home broken bone injury cases
If you or a loved one suffered from a hip fracture or related complications (including death) while a resident in a nursing home, you may be eligible to recover monetary compensation from a nursing home hip fracture injury lawsuit case or settlement claim.
Hip Fractures Are Common in Nursing Homes
Hip fractures are, unfortunately, very common in nursing home facilities. Indeed, an estimated 8% of all hip fractures suffered in the United States occur in long-stay nursing home residents. Because of age, frailty, mobility limitations, and underlying medical conditions, nursing home residents are at much higher risk of falls and resulting bone injuries than the general population. In fact, hip fractures are one of the leading causes of disability and death among elderly long-term care residents.
Hip Fractures Caused By Nursing Home Falls
Hip fractures in nursing home residents are overwhelmingly caused by nursing home residents falling. These falls often result from a combination of age-related changes and health conditions that increase vulnerability to falls, and in many cases, they are entirely preventable with proper care.
Many residents are considered high fall risks due to age-related frailty, mobility limitations, muscle weakness, balance issues, impaired vision, dementia, or medication side effects. Environmental hazards (such as cluttered walkways, inadequate lighting, slippery floors, or improperly fitted footwear) add an additional layer of fall-related hip fracture risk. Conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke, dementia, and severe arthritis can further increase instability, while age-related bone loss makes the hip especially vulnerable.
For these reasons, even a simple slip during a transfer, a missed step, or a fall from standing height can lead to a severe hip fracture. Because even a low-impact fall from standing height can cause a serious hip fracture in older adults with osteoporosis, nursing home residents must be closely monitored and supported to reduce the likelihood of falls and prevent these life-altering hip injuries.
How Hip Fractures Happen From Falls
Hip fractures in nursing homes often occur during avoidable falls, and the following are common scenarios that show how quickly and easily these injuries can happen when proper care and supervision are lacking:
- Attempting to Walk Without Assistance: Many residents need help standing, walking, or transferring from a bed or chair. When staff fail to respond promptly to call lights (or the resident believes no one is coming) they may attempt to walk alone. A simple misstep, wobble, or loss of balance can cause them to fall directly onto the hip, resulting in a hip fracture. These incidents often occur at night, during shift changes, or when staffing is insufficient.
- Falling While Getting Out of Bed or a Wheelchair: Residents with weakened muscles, dizziness, or cognitive impairment can easily lose their footing while transitioning from sitting to standing. If bed rails, brake locks, or transfer devices are not used properly, a resident may collapse under their own weight, landing hard on one side. This sudden impact frequently causes an intertrochanteric or subtrochanteric hip fracture.
- Slipping on Wet or Unsafe Floors: A slippery bathroom floor, recently mopped hallway, or spilled drink can turn into a major hazard for elderly residents. Because many have reduced reaction time and difficulty correcting their posture mid-slip, they often fall sideways, striking the hip first. Hip fractures from slips are particularly common in bathrooms, dining areas, and near sinks or bathing facilities.
- Tripping Over Clutter or Poorly Maintained Areas: Objects left in hallways, uneven flooring, curled-up carpeting, and missing handrails can all cause residents to trip. When they do, their body weight often shifts toward one leg, causing them to fall sideways. The lateral impact on the hip is enough to break fragile bones—especially in residents with osteoporosis.
- Losing Balance Due to Medication Side Effects: Drugs such as sedatives, antipsychotics, and some blood pressure medications can cause dizziness, confusion, or fainting. A resident who becomes disoriented or suddenly lightheaded may fall before they can grab a handrail or call for help. Medication-related balance loss is a known risk, and facilities must monitor and plan for it—failure to do so may be considered negligence.
- Falling During Transfers by Untrained or Rushed Staff: If staff members try to move a resident too quickly, fail to use gait belts, or do not follow proper transfer techniques, the resident may fall mid-transfer. A drop from even a short height (such as being improperly pivoted from bed to wheelchair) can cause the hip to strike the floor with enough force to fracture it. These incidents are often the result of inadequate training or understaffing.
- Wandering or Elopement: Residents with dementia may wander into unsafe areas when unsupervised. They often fall near doorways, stairwells, or outdoor surfaces. These falls can be especially severe, and hip fractures are common when a confused resident falls on a hard surface.
Nursing Home Liability for Fall-Related Hip Fractures
Nursing homes may be held legally liable for fall-related hip fractures when the injury results from the facility’s failure to provide appropriate care, supervision, or a safe environment. Because residents are often medically fragile and at high risk for falls, nursing homes have a legal responsibility to identify residents who are likely to fall and implement individualized safety measures to help protect them.
Liability may arise if staff fail to monitor residents who require assistance, ignore call lights, provide inadequate supervision, or allow unsafe conditions (such as wet floors, poor lighting, or cluttered walkways) to persist. Additionally, improper use of bed rails, lack of mobility aids, medication errors, or failure to address known behavioral or cognitive issues may contribute to falls. If a resident suffers a hip fracture due to these types of lapses, a nursing home may be negligent since it did not take reasonable steps to protect the resident from foreseeable harm.
Signs That A Resident Suffered A Hip Fracture
Recognizing the signs of a possible hip fracture in a nursing home resident is important as prompt medical intervention is crucial to manage severe pain and prevent life-threatening complications like blood clots, pneumonia, and pressure ulcers arising from immobility.
Signs or symptoms of a hip fracture can include, among others:
- Leg on side of injured hip appears shortened
- Leg on side of injured hip turned outward
- Hip looks different or deformed
- Swelling or bruising near the hip
- Severe pain in hip, groin or upper thigh
- Groaning, crying out, or wincing when moved
- Guarding or protecting the painful side
- Difficulty standing or walking
- Inability to bear weight on leg
- Limited mobility
- Sudden increase in confusion or agitation
- Refusal to get out of bed or participate in activities
- Other signs of a hip fracture
Hip fracture signs can include deformities such as a shortened leg or externally rotated leg on the affected side. Swelling, bruising, or tenderness around the hip or upper thigh can also occur. Some residents exhibit stiffness or limited range of motion in the hip, and attempts to reposition them or turn them in bed, may cause sharp pain or distress.
One of the most notable signs that a nursing home resident may have suffered a hip fracture is acute pain in the hip, groin, or thigh, which may be reported directly or indicated through nonverbal cues such as grimacing, guarding, or increased agitation. Residents with dementia may not verbalize pain but may show behavioral changes, including restlessness, irritability, or refusal of care.
Another common sign of a hip fracture is a sudden change in the nursing home resident’s mobility or ability to bear weight. A resident who previously walked with or without assistance may become unable to stand or take steps after a fall. Staff may notice that the resident refuses to participate in transfers, becomes unstable during ambulation, or experiences increased pain during movement. Even without a witnessed fall, an abrupt decline in mobility should raise suspicion for a hip fracture.
In addition, nursing home residents with hip fractures may have decreased appetite, withdrawal, confusion, or sudden functional decline.
Timely recognition of possible signs that a nursing home residents may have suffered from a hip fracture is essential, as delayed diagnosis of a hip fracture can lead to complications such as pressure injuries, pneumonia, immobility-related decline, and increased mortality.
Complications For Residents With Hip Fractures
Nursing home residents who fracture their hip can suffer serious (and sometimes life-threatening) complications that may be exacerbated by the resident’s age, frailty, and pre-existing medical conditions.
Hip fracture complications in nursing home residents can include:
- Lost mobility and functional decline
- Medical complications from immobility
- Bedsores
- Pressure ulcers
- Blood clots
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Pulmonary embolism
- Pneumonia
- Infections
- Urinary tract infection
- Respiratory infection
- Sepsis
- Delirium
- Cognitive decline
- Depression
- Loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia)
- Surgical complications
- Chronic pain
- Malnutrition and dehydration
- Risk of future falls and fractures
- Anemia
- Surgical complications
- Anesthesia complications
- Excessive bleeding
- Implant failure (loosening or breaking hardware)
- Avascular necrosis
- Death of bone tissue due to lack of blood supply
- Failed surgical fixation or hardware failure
- Non-union (failure of the bone to heal)
- Malunion (healing in incorrect position)
- Dislocation of hip prosthesis
- Need for revision surgery
- Chronic hip instability
- Permanent limb shortening
- Respiratory complications
- Death
Hip fractures often lead to a significant decline in mobility for nursing home residents. After the injury, many individuals struggle to return to their previous level of walking or transferring. This reduced mobility increases the risk of complications such as muscle weakness, joint stiffness, and dependence on others for daily activities. Immobility can quickly affect a resident’s overall health and quality of life, making early mobilization and rehabilitation essential parts of care.
Another major complication for residents suffering from a hip fracture is the development of pressure injuries (i.e., bedsores). When nursing home residents remain in bed or sit for long periods due to pain or limited movement, pressure builds on bony areas like the heels, sacrum, and hips. Without frequent repositioning, proper cushioning, and skin monitoring, these areas can break down and form painful ulcers. Bedsore pressure injuries not only cause discomfort but also increase the risk of infection and prolonged hospitalization.
Hip fractures also raise the likelihood of respiratory complications, including pneumonia. Limited mobility can lead to shallow breathing, poor lung expansion, and difficulty clearing secretions. Residents who have swallowing difficulties or cognitive impairment may also be at higher risk for aspiration pneumonia.
Blood clots, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), are another serious concern for those suffering with a hip fracture. Immobility slows blood flow in the legs, making clot formation more likely. If a clot travels to the lungs, it can cause a pulmonary embolism (PE), a life-threatening emergency. Preventive measures may include anticoagulant medications, leg exercises, and compression devices.
Cognitive and emotional complications are also common in hip fracture victims. Many experience delirium, especially after surgery or hospitalization. This sudden confusion can be triggered by pain, infection, medications, or changes in environment. Additionally, some residents may face long-term cognitive decline, increased anxiety, or depression related to pain, loss of independence, or prolonged recovery.
Other complications of hip fractures include chronic pain, which can limit participation in rehabilitation; malnutrition from decreased appetite or difficulty eating; and increased fall risk, as unsteady gait and muscle weakness heighten the chance of reinjury. Ultimately, hip fractures are associated with a higher risk of mortality in nursing home residents, making comprehensive, proactive care essential to improving outcomes.
Understanding the complications of hip fractures is essential because these injuries can rapidly lead to serious health problems, especially in older adults. When caregivers and healthcare providers know what complications to watch for, they can respond quickly and prevent further decline. Early recognition helps reduce risks such as infection, immobility, and life-threatening conditions, while also supporting a safer recovery and better quality of life. By being aware of the potential challenges, staff can provide more effective care and improve outcomes for residents.
Treatments For Residents With Hip Fractures
Most hip fractures require surgical intervention, unless the individual’s overall health makes surgery too risky. Surgery aims to stabilize the bone, relieve pain, and allow earlier mobility. Depending on the type of hip fracture suffered by the nursing home resident, procedures may include insertion of metal screws or plates, a partial hip replacement, or a total hip replacement.
Pain management is an essential component of hip fracture treatment. Effective pain control allows nursing home residents to begin moving sooner, participate in therapy, and prevent complications associated with immobility. A combination of approaches may be used, such as oral pain medications, nerve blocks, ice, and positioning strategies.
Rehabilitation and early mobilization are key to improving functional outcomes after a hip fracture. Physical therapy typically begins as soon as medically safe, sometimes even the day after surgery. The goal is to improve strength, balance, and mobility, as well as to prevent complications like blood clots and pneumonia. Occupational therapy is also important for helping residents relearn daily activities such as dressing, bathing, and transferring.
In addition to surgery and rehabilitation, post-operative care focuses on preventing complications. This includes monitoring for infection, encouraging deep breathing exercises, ensuring proper nutrition and hydration, and implementing fall-prevention strategies. Nursing home staff may provide interventions such as frequent repositioning, skin checks, and assistance with safe mobility. Preventing delirium is also a priority, especially for residents with dementia, and may involve maintaining a calm environment, promoting sleep, and encouraging orientation.
For residents who are not candidates for surgery due to severe health conditions or end-of-life situations, treatment may focus on non-surgical management. This approach emphasizes pain control, comfort, and careful handling to prevent further injury. Palliative care or hospice may be involved to support the resident and family with symptom management and decision-making.
Overall, successful treatment of hip fractures requires a multidisciplinary approach involving physicians, nurses, therapists, caregivers, and families. By combining medical, surgical, and supportive care, the goal is to restore mobility, reduce complications, and improve quality of life for nursing home residents recovering from a hip fracture.
Recover Compensation For Hip Fracture Injury
When a nursing home resident suffers a hip fracture due to negligence, the injured resident or their family may be entitled to compensation from a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit for:
- Medical Expenses Of Caring For Hip Fracture: A major component of compensation includes medical expenses, both current and future. This may cover emergency room visits, surgery, hospital stays, rehabilitation, physical therapy, medications, assistive devices, and specialized long-term care. Many residents require ongoing support or permanent placement in a higher level of care after a hip fracture, and these additional expenses may also be included in the claim. Families are often shocked by how dramatically the cost of care increases, making financial recovery essential.
- Pain and Suffering From Hip Fracture: Hip fracture injury victims may also be entitled to pain and suffering damages, which acknowledge the physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life caused by the hip injury. Hip fractures can lead to chronic pain, mobility limitations, anxiety, depression, and loss of independence, all of which significantly impact daily life. In cases involving severe complications, the emotional toll may be substantial, especially when the resident is left unable to walk, engage in activities, or maintain social connections.
- Loss Of Enjoyment of Life Due to Hip Fracture: Another type of compensation involves loss of enjoyment of life, which considers how the injury has changed the resident’s ability to participate in meaningful activities or maintain their previous lifestyle. For residents who were relatively independent before the fracture, the loss of mobility can be devastating. Families may also pursue compensation for disability, acknowledging permanent impairment or long-term decline that resulted from the fall.
- Punitive Damages For Hip Fractures: In situations where the nursing home’s conduct was particularly reckless or egregious (such as ignoring repeated fall risks, failing to provide supervision, or allowing hazardous conditions) victims may be awarded punitive damages. These damages are designed to punish the facility and deter similar misconduct in the future.
- Wrongful Death Damages From Hip Fractures: In cases where a hip fracture leads to death, the resident’s family may pursue a wrongful death claim. Compensation in these cases may include funeral expenses, medical bills, loss of support and the emotional suffering experienced by surviving loved ones (including loss of society and companionship). Because hip fractures in older adults have a high mortality rate, wrongful death claims are not uncommon when negligence contributed to the fall.
Time Is Limited To File A Hip Fracture Injury Claim
There are legal deadlines known as statutes of limitation and statutes of repose that may limit the time that nursing home hip fracture injury victims (and their families) have to file a nursing home bone fracture lawsuit to recover compensation for broken hip injuries suffered.
This means that if a nursing home hip fracture lawsuit is not filed before the deadline or limitations period, the injured party (or their family) may be barred from pursuing litigation or taking legal action for their nursing home hip fracture injury. That is why it is important to connect with a nursing home hip fracture injury lawyer or attorney as soon as possible.
If you or a loved one suffered from a hip fracture after falling in a nursing home facility, you may be entitled to recover compensation from a nursing home hip fracture injury lawsuit case or settlement claim. Contact a nursing home hip fracture injury lawyer to request a free confidential case review.
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