What are the Most Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Nursing Homes?
It is not surprising that death is not uncommon in nursing homes. These facilities care for elderly individuals who are of an advanced age, frail, and possibly even at the end of their life. Due to these factors, natural deaths can occur in a nursing home and they are not related to any wrongdoing.
Tragically, not all deaths that occur in nursing homes are natural. There are times when abuse and neglect cause wrongful death in nursing homes and in these cases, the facility can be held responsible for paying damages, and perhaps even criminally. Below, our Tampa nursing home death lawyer explains the most common causes of wrongful death in these facilities.
Fall-Related Deaths in Nursing Homes
For elderly individuals, falls are extremely serious. They can cause traumatic brain injuries, head injuries, broken bones, and more. Falls for elderly individuals can also result in additional complications such as infections or immobility that can contribute to wrongful death. Due to their frail nature, nursing home residents are at much higher risk of falling.
Nursing homes have a duty to prevent falls by implementing a number of prevention measures. These include ensuring there are no tripping hazards, supervising residents properly, and maintaining the property to ensure there is no loose carpet, broken stairs, or other hazards.
Deaths Due to Infections
There are a number of different types of infections that pose significant risk to nursing home residents. Sepsis is one of these and it is a life-threatening condition. Bed sores are wounds that are preventable and if not properly treated or prevented, can cause sepsis. Other infections that can cause wrongful nursing home death are respiratory infections and urinary tract infections.
Nursing homes have a legal obligation to supervise residents and look for signs of infection so they can provide treatment right away. They must also quarantine infectious residents and ensure the facility is clean so infections do not develop or spread.
Deaths Due to Choking
Choking is largely preventable. It is also a horrible way to lose one’s life. Nursing homes have a responsibility to adhere to resident’s care plans, provide appropriate food and drink, and supervise residents to ensure they do not suffer a choking death. All choking deaths in nursing homes must be fully investigated.
Deaths Due to Medication Errors
Nursing home residents often require many medications. They can suffer wrongful death if these medications are not administered properly, such as if too much or too little of a drug is given to the resident. Unfortunately, medication errors are a common cause of wrongful death in nursing homes.
Our Nursing Home Death Lawyer in Tampa Can Help Your Family
Losing someone you love is one of the hardest things you will ever go through. Learning that the death was due to negligence or abuse is even harder. At Kohn Law, our Tampa nursing home death lawyer can provide the legal advice you need, accurately value your case, and help your family obtain the full and fair damages you are entitled to. Call us now at 813-428-8504 or contact us online to schedule a consultation and to learn more about how we can help.
Source:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0700-0799/0768/Sections/0768.16.html
