A woman recently filed a lawsuit against a nursing home in another state after her husband died in the nursing home’s care. The nursing home is also facing a government fine that is six figures. When a person in New Mexico has lost his or her life due to nursing home neglect, the surviving family members have the right to take legal action.
In the recent out-of-state case, the husband of the plaintiff passed away after he was thrown from the faulty wheelchair lift of a van at the nursing home. The accident caused the man to suffer a broken neck. However, he was placed in a wheelchair even though he had not first been examined for spinal cord or neck injuries. The staff allegedly wheeled him into the nursing facility and ignored his wife’s begging them to dial 911. He was not transported to the hospital until about one hour later.
The man, 77, passed away fewer than three weeks later. According to officials, respiratory failure due to his broken neck caused his death. When he died, he had been in the nursing home for five months after breaking his leg.
Nursing home neglect continues to be a significant problem in New Mexico as well as other states. Fortunately, individuals who have lost loved ones due to a nursing home staff’s carelessness may decide to file liability claims against the facilities believed responsible, seeking a judgment for monetary damages. Claims for damages will be decided by the court once liability has been established to the court’s satisfaction.
Source: illinoistimes.com, “Springfield nursing home sued“, Bruce Rushton, Oct. 13, 2016