If you have a loved one in a Wisconsin nursing home, you need to know about a troubling trend that’s putting vulnerable residents at risk. A new report from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services reveals that falls in nursing homes are increasing at an alarming rate—and the consequences can be devastating.
The Scope of the Problem
In 2024 alone, emergency medical services in Wisconsin responded to over 140,000 fall-related incidents. What makes this particularly concerning is that these numbers are accelerating. Falls are increasing by nearly 10,000 per year statewide, with an average annual increase of 6.1% since 2019.
Even more alarming: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Wisconsin has the highest fall death rate among older adults in the entire United States.
Where Falls Are Happening
While private residences account for the majority of fall-related EMS responses, nursing homes represent a significant and growing concern. The data shows that nursing home falls increased by approximately 1,200 per year over a four-year period, with an average increase of 8.1% annually—higher than the rate for other locations.
In 2024, nursing homes accounted for 13.7% of all fall calls, with 19,213 incidents requiring EMS response. This represents a 285% increase in non-transport EMS runs for falls at nursing homes since 2018.
Why Nursing Home Policies May Be Contributing
An often-overlooked factor in these statistics is that some nursing home policies may actually be driving up EMS response numbers. Many facilities have implemented “no lift” policies that require them to call EMS to assist residents back to their feet, chair, or bed after any fall—regardless of whether medical attention is truly needed.
Additionally, some facilities require a medical examination by EMS after every fall, even minor ones. While these policies may be intended to protect residents and limit facility liability, they can mask the true severity of the fall problem and prevent meaningful interventions.
The Problem of Repeat Falls
Perhaps most concerning is the data on repeat falls at the same addresses. The report reveals significant numbers of private addresses experiencing multiple fall-related ambulance runs. These repeat calls indicate that individuals may not have access to the resources needed to prevent their falls, or that underlying causes aren’t being adequately addressed.
Each repeated fall represents not just a data point, but a vulnerable person at risk—and a system that’s failing to protect them.
Warning Signs Your Loved One May Be at Risk
Falls in nursing homes rarely happen without warning signs. Families should be vigilant about:
- Evidence of previous unexplained injuries
- Inadequate staffing that prevents proper supervision
- Poor lighting or cluttered hallways
- Lack of fall prevention assessments
- Medications that may increase fall risk
- Missing or malfunctioning assistive devices
- Failure to respond to call buttons promptly
When a Fall Becomes Negligence
Not every nursing home fall constitutes neglect or abuse. However, when facilities fail to implement reasonable fall prevention measures, ignore known risk factors, or don’t properly supervise residents with fall histories, they may be liable for the resulting injuries.
Serious fall injuries in nursing homes can include hip fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and other catastrophic harm that dramatically reduces quality of life for elderly residents.
Your Loved One Deserves Better
At PKSD, we’ve seen firsthand the devastating impact that preventable nursing home falls can have on residents and their families. While Wisconsin works to address this crisis at the systemic level, individual families shouldn’t have to wait for change when their loved ones are suffering now.
If your family member has been injured in a nursing home fall, especially if there’s a pattern of repeated falls or evidence of inadequate care, you have legal options. Nursing homes have a duty to provide a safe environment and implement reasonable fall prevention strategies. When they fail in this duty, they must be held accountable.
Don’t let a facility minimize your concerns or make you feel like “falls just happen” with elderly residents. While some falls are unavoidable, many are preventable with proper care, staffing, and attention.
We’re here to listen, investigate what happened, and help you understand your legal rights. Your family deserves answers—and your loved one deserves justice.
Contact PKSD today at 414-333-3333 for a free, confidential consultation about your loved one’s situation.
