Broken Hip in a Nursing Home: Can You Sue in Wisconsin?

A broken hip is one of the most serious injuries an older adult can suffer. For many nursing home residents, a hip fracture can lead to surgery, lengthy rehabilitation, a loss of independence, and other serious health complications.

While some falls are unavoidable, many broken hips happen because a nursing home failed to provide proper care. If your loved one suffered a hip fracture because of negligence, you may be wondering whether you can take legal action.

In Wisconsin, the answer may be yes.

How Do Broken Hips Happen in Nursing Homes?

Many nursing home residents have mobility challenges, balance issues, or medical conditions that increase their risk of falling. Because of this, nursing homes have a responsibility to assess each resident’s fall risk and take reasonable steps to help prevent injuries.

A broken hip may occur when a facility fails to provide appropriate care, such as:

• Failing to assist a resident when walking or transferring
• Ignoring call lights or requests for help
• Leaving a resident unattended despite a known fall risk
• Failing to use wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility devices properly
• Poor supervision of residents with dementia or cognitive impairments
• Wet floors, cluttered walkways, or other unsafe conditions
• Inadequate staffing that prevents residents from receiving timely assistance

When these failures lead to a fall, the nursing home may be responsible for the resulting injuries.

Why Are Hip Fractures So Serious?

For older adults, a broken hip is much more than a broken bone. Recovery is often difficult and may involve:

• Emergency surgery
• Hospitalization
• Physical therapy
• Long-term rehabilitation
• Reduced mobility
• Increased risk of infection
• Loss of independence

Some residents never regain their previous level of mobility, and complications from a hip fracture can have lasting effects on their health and quality of life.

Can You Sue a Nursing Home for a Broken Hip in Wisconsin?

Possibly. If the nursing home’s negligence caused the hip fracture, you may have grounds to pursue a personal injury claim.

To establish negligence, it generally must be shown that:

• The nursing home had a duty to provide reasonable care.
• The facility failed to meet the accepted standard of care.
• That failure caused the resident’s fall and broken hip.
• The resident suffered damages as a result.

Every case is unique, so the specific facts surrounding the injury are important.

What Evidence Can Help Support a Claim?

If you suspect negligence, gathering evidence can make a significant difference. Helpful evidence may include:

• Medical records
• Incident reports
• Care plans
• Fall risk assessments
• Photographs of injuries or unsafe conditions
• Witness statements
• Surveillance footage, if available

An attorney can also work to obtain records and investigate whether the nursing home violated state or federal care standards.

What Compensation May Be Available?

Depending on the circumstances, compensation may include:

• Medical expenses
• Rehabilitation costs
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Future medical care

Other damages allowed under Wisconsin law

If the broken hip ultimately contributes to a resident’s death, the family may also have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim.

What Should You Do After a Nursing Home Fall?

If your loved one suffers a broken hip in a nursing home:

1. Make sure they receive immediate medical treatment.
2. Ask the nursing home for a written incident report.
3. Take photographs of any visible injuries and the area where the fall occurred, if possible.
4. Keep copies of medical records and bills.
5. Write down everything the nursing home tells you about the incident.

Speak with an experienced Wisconsin nursing home negligence attorney before accepting any explanations or settlement offers.

Taking these steps can help preserve important evidence and protect your family’s legal rights.

When Should You Contact an Attorney?

Not every nursing home fall is the result of negligence. However, if you believe your loved one’s injury could have been prevented with proper care, it is worth speaking with an attorney.

An experienced nursing home negligence lawyer can review the facts, explain your legal options, and determine whether the facility may be held accountable.

Martin Law Office Helps Wisconsin Families Seek Justice

When you trust a nursing home with your loved one’s care, you expect that they will be protected. If negligence resulted in a broken hip or another serious injury, you deserve answers.

At Martin Law Office, we help families throughout Wisconsin hold negligent nursing homes accountable. We understand the emotional and financial impact these injuries can have, and we are committed to protecting the rights of nursing home residents and their families.

Contact Martin Law Office today at 414-856-4010 for a free and confidential consultation. There are no fees unless we recover compensation for you.