When there are issues with the standard of care at a nursing home or similar facility, legal action often comes from outside parties. The family members of the residents affected by negligent care standards often file lawsuits requesting compensation for the consequences of neglect or abuse.
That is precisely what happened when an 82-year-old died due to complications from bedsores, also known as pressure ulcers. A recent lawsuit that resulted in a multi-million-dollar judgment in favor of the plaintiffs helps highlight how even minor medical issues can have devastating consequences without appropriate interventions.
What led to the lawsuit?
The family members of an 82-year-old nursing home resident were devastated to learn that their family patriarch had died. The resident went to the hospital for heart issues, which physicians quickly determined were the result of insufficient medical care. The elder man eventually died due to the medical complications he experienced.
Although the pursuit of justice is often not rapid, the family did eventually prevail in civil court years after their loss. A jury that heard the case awarded the family $14.7 million due to the tragic consequences of the undiagnosed and untreated bedsores that eventually claimed the resident’s life.
Such cases highlight how important it is for grieving families to have independent medical insight and legal advocacy when residents in nursing homes suffer unnecessarily due to neglect or abuse. Families may struggle to prove that a nursing home failed to provide reasonable care. They may agree to unnecessarily low settlements. They may even struggle to collect on a judgment, especially if the facility lacks adequate insurance coverage.
Reviewing the reason for potential nursing home negligence claims with a skilled legal team can help families explore their options. Those dealing with preventable injuries, illnesses and tragedies may have grounds to take legal action.
