It’s a sad fact that nursing home abuse occurs across the country. Children and grandchildren put cherished lives into the hands of those who accept sizable payments to protect them. Sadly, it is not uncommon to find that one or numerous members of the nursing home staff have abused a resident, either through a purposeful infliction of physical harm or through negligence, recklessness or simple carelessness.
In a case coming out of Chicago, the independent trustee of a man’s estate is now suing the nursing home where he suffered a fall and ultimately died. Elderly patients are typically at risk of falling and the trustee alleges that the man should have been supervised at all times. The fact that he fell indicates that the nursing home itself fell down on its standard of care.
The trustee alleges the man suffered from pressure ulcers as a result of the fall, which contributed to or caused his death.
While this case was not in California, the outcome of negligence is largely the same. When you lose a loved one due to standards that have not been upheld, you may have grounds for a wrongful death suit. While nothing can bring your loved one back, you should not have to suffer the additional emotional and financial burdens. And if a company failed to satisfactorily live up to its role, if medication was administered or dispensed incorrectly or if an ailment went unnoticed or was misdiagnosed, you may be able to hold them accountable.
Source: CookCountyRecord.com, “Inadequate care alleged in wrongful death claim,” Louie Torres, July 12, 2016