If someone you love died in a nursing home, it may have been caused by neglect or abuse. You might be able to file a legal claim against the nursing home and recover monetary damages.
The decision to place someone you love in a nursing home is a difficult one. Moving an older, disabled adult out of the house in which they raised a family and have a lifetime of memories is never easy. For most residents, it will be the last place they live. Death occurs with frequency in nursing homes, often from natural causes or illnesses that tend to afflict the elderly. Many people, however, die each year from injuries caused by abuse, mistreatment, and neglect that occurs in nursing homes throughout the country.
When your loved one dies prematurely because of the actions of a nursing home, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim. If you suspect abuse, neglect, or malpractice contributed to the death of your family member while under the care of a nursing home, contact a lawyer for help. Call Alonso Krangle, LLP, an experienced wrongful death lawyer who can help protect your legal right to recover monetary damages.
Wrongful Death in Nursing Homes Occurs in Many Ways
When a nursing home employee or operator acts negligently, and it causes the death of a resident, the facts may support a wrongful death claim. How does negligence in a nursing home cause death?
- Medication errors
- Improper supervision
- Medical malpractice
- Malnutrition
- Dehydration
- Bedsores
- Sepsis
- Injuries from falling
- Asphyxiation from a bed rail
- Head injuries
For a senior who is already medically compromised a small injury can become life-threatening and ultimately fatal, especially if it is not promptly treated. Negligence by nursing home employees can result in even a minor injury becoming dangerous and deadly. With the proper level of care and supervision, many of these fatalities can be avoided.
Nursing Homes Can Be Liable for Wrongful Death Caused by Neglect
When you lose a person you love in a nursing home, you may be inclined to assume that it was from natural causes. However, be sure to consider whether the death could have been prevented: Ask yourself:
- Could the nursing home have acted differently to avoid the injury that led to death?
- Could the nursing home have done something more quickly?
- Did someone provide the wrong treatment?
- Did the nursing home hire unqualified workers?
- Was someone not paying attention to symptoms?
- Was your loved one left alone when they should not have been?
- Did a doctor or nurse give the wrong instructions to someone?
- Did the nursing home ignore complaints?
- Did an employee fail to follow prescribed plans or protocols?
The best way to determine if a nursing home operator or employee acted with negligence is to speak with a lawyer who has experience handling wrongful death cases. Our nursing home abuse and neglect attorney Alonso Krangle, LLP can listen to the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s death and help you to pursue any remedies the law allows.
It is Not Too Late to Investigate Abuse or Neglect
Trusting the people who care for your family member in a nursing home is essential. In a perfect world, your loved one would have told you that he or she was being mistreated or neglected. However, nursing home residents are often afraid or unable to speak up for themselves and share details of their experiences. After they are gone, it might be up to you to ask questions and find out what really happened.
It may be difficult to fathom the idea that the death of your loved one could have been prevented, but it is something you should consider. Did the nursing home patient exhibit or did you notice any of the following?
- Unexplained injuries
- Unusual anxiety or depression
- Fear of certain individuals
- Extreme fatigue
- Sudden onset of disorientation or confusion or forgetfulness
- New, unexplained medical problems
- Infrequent visits by nursing home staff members
- Dirty bedsheets
- Soiled clothing
- Loss of appetite
- Sudden weight loss
- Lack of interest in hobbies or activities, withdrawal
- New medications
If you suspect that your family member died because of the negligence of the nursing home and its employees, please contact someone to discuss your legal rights. Filing a wrongful death claim against the nursing home will not bring your loved one back. But, it can provide you with the opportunity to collect monetary damages from the individuals responsible for causing or hastening their death.
If You Suspect Negligence Caused the Wrongful Death Of Someone You Love, Call Alonso Krangle, LLP For Help.
It is easy to assume when an elderly, frail person dies in a nursing home that nature is running its course. However, some nursing home deaths are the direct result of someone’s negligence. It is imperative that you hold nursing homes accountable when they do not adhere to the proper standard of care when treating and supervising patients.
If your loved one died while under the care of a nursing home, you may have a wrongful death claim. Contact an experienced wrongful death lawyer in New York who understands nursing home abuse and neglect cases. Find out if you have a claim by calling Alonso Krangle, LLP at 516-350-5555. Call today and receive a free evaluation of your case. If you have a legal claim against a negligent nursing home find out how we can help you recover monetary damages.
I really only have just a statement. I LOVE YOU!! I also LOVE Alonso, I LOVE Krangle… I love the whole damn firm!
I definitely know the pain and suffering I went through… but I never thought you guys would be able to pull something off this awesome.
Much much love to my favorite people in New York… and about 47 other states.