Nursing care facilities in New Mexico are expected to offer top-of-the-line care to their residents, especially since their residents are some of the most vulnerable members of the population. At times, however, these facilities fail to live up to this standard. One long-term care facility in another state was recently sued for nursing home neglect after a resident died.
The administrator of the deceased woman’s estate filed the lawsuit. According to the claim, the woman who passed away at the facility was receiving care there for rehabilitation over the course of several months. However, she began to develop pressure ulcers. The woman eventually developed sepsis before her death.
According to the plaintiff, the sepsis developed because of the nursing facility’s neglect of its duties. The plaintiff claims that the facility did not provide appropriate medical care and did not monitor the resident’s condition adequately. The plaintiff is seeking a jury trial as well as a minimum of $50,000 in damages.
When nursing home neglect is believed to be the cause of a loved one’s death, it is within the rights of the deceased person’s surviving family members to file a wrongful death claim against the facility. If monetary damages are awarded, they may help to cover burial costs and other documented financial losses. A damage award might also help to address emotional distress as well as pain and suffering stemming from the documented incident of neglect. Before claims for damages will be determined in New Mexico, liability must be established by appropriate proof of negligence.
Source: cookcountyrecord.com, “Husband accuses Joliet long-term care facility of wrongful death“, May 6, 2016