The death of a loved one is never easy, especially when it comes to family members who you have entrusted to a nursing facility. If this death only occurred because of an act of negligence, your family might be entitled to financial compensation from the responsible party.
If you are dealing with the wrongful death of a Suffolk County nursing home resident, our team can help. Reach out to a skilled nursing home abuse attorney from our firm today.
A wrongful death claim is a type of civil lawsuit that arises when a person dies because of someone else’s negligence. In a nursing home setting, this often means that staff members failed to provide proper care or ignored serious health risks that led to a resident’s death.
The purpose of a wrongful death claim is to hold the responsible parties accountable and recover financial damages related to the loss. When a nursing home fails to follow accepted standards of care and a resident dies as a result, the family may have the right to bring a wrongful death lawsuit.
Several factors can lead to the wrongful death of a Suffolk County nursing home resident. Some examples include:
Pressure ulcers are a common sign of neglect in nursing homes. When staff fail to reposition residents, provide proper hygiene, or treat developing sores, the wounds can become infected. Advanced pressure sores may lead to sepsis or other life-threatening complications.
Elderly residents often have weakened immune systems, which makes infections especially dangerous. When nursing home staff ignore symptoms such as fever, swelling, or changes in behavior, a treatable infection can quickly spread. Untreated infections can lead to sepsis, organ failure, and death.
Nursing home residents rely on staff to administer medications correctly, but careless mistakes can happen. Giving the wrong medication or failing to give the prescribed amount can lead to serious health issues.
Many nursing home residents are at high risk of falling due to mobility issues or cognitive decline. Facilities must provide proper supervision and fall-prevention measures. When staff fail to monitor residents or ignore known fall risks, a serious fall can result in fatal head injuries or other complications.
Residents depend on staff for proper nutrition and hydration. When a facility fails to monitor food and fluid intake, residents may become severely malnourished or dehydrated. These conditions can weaken the body, worsen existing illnesses, and ultimately lead to death.
Under New York law, a wrongful death claim must be filed by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate. This is different compared to several other states that allow an heir to file a lawsuit on their own.
The representative is often named in the resident’s will or appointed by the court if no will exists. While the personal representative files the lawsuit, the compensation recovered is intended to benefit the surviving family members.
Family members who may receive compensation typically include the spouse, children, or other dependents of the deceased resident. If you believe you are eligible to recover following a Suffolk County nursing home death, now is the time to speak with a lawyer.
If your family is dealing with the wrongful death of a Suffolk County nursing home resident, you have the right to speak with an attorney. Reach out to our firm right away to learn more.
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