Assisted Living Home Fined After Fall Leads to Resident’s Death

Many Americans require medical care at the end stages of their lives, leading some to take residence in a nursing home or assisted living facility. In most cases, these homes provide both the medical care and the day-to-day help needed by the residents as they live out the remainder of their golden years.

These facilities are governed by state and federal rules, regulations, and laws that require a certain standard of care be provided. Failing to provide the minimum level of care can result in fines or a loss of license for a facility. But if an error occurs that is negligent or intentional and a resident suffers as a result, criminal charges can be filed and the victim or the victim’s family may be entitled to financial compensation for their damages. A nursing home lawyer can tell you what rights you may have.

Negligence in a nursing home can take many forms and can occur in any place, including Chicago or other areas of Illinois. According to authorities, an incident of neglect recently occurred in an assisted living facility in Wilmington, North Carolina and may have led to the death of a patient.

Early reports indicate that a female patient fell first on April 29 and then again when she fell out of bed on either April 30 or May 1, yet the woman was not taken to a doctor. Rather, she remained at the home until May 2 when she finally received medical attention. At that time, an emergency room doctor determined that the woman suffered a broken neck in a fall though it is not clear which one. The woman died several days later.

The assisted living facility was fined $2,000 recently for the incident and failing to take the woman to a doctor sooner. But in this case, a woman died and a $2,000 fine seems small in exchange.

 

 

Victims of nursing home abuse and neglect are entitled to compensation for their damages. When a nursing home resident loses his or her life, the right to bring a claim is available to the victim’s surviving family.

Many times, it can be difficult to determine exactly what caused a nursing home resident to become injured and whether an employee or the home’s ownership acted negligently. To help you sort out what happened, we offer all potential victims of nursing home abuse and neglect a free case consultation at (312) 924-7575 or toll free at (855) 529-2442. At Abels & Annes, P.C., we understand that you may want answers immediately so we make ourselves available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take your call. If you suspect negligence, do not hesitate. Make sure your loved one is protected by calling us today.

Prior Blog Entry:

Nursing Home Employee Charged with Raping Elderly Patient, Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog, published December 13, 2013.

Resource:

Wilmington nursing home fined $2,000 in death, WRAL.com/Associated Press, published December 25, 2013.