If your loved one passes away in a nursing home and you believe that neglect was to blame, you may have a wrongful death suit on your hands. Nothing can bring back your relative, but you can take steps to recover damages and hold people accountable for their actions. A Monmouth County wrongful death lawyer from our firm can help you.
What Are Some of the Top Causes of Wrongful Death for Nursing Home Residents?
It’s easy for an older person to get hurt or pass away if nursing home staff does not make an effort to watch them or take care of their medical needs. Common causes of wrongful death in these facilities can include:
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of a medical issue
- Slips and falls and other accidents
- Neglect of a resident’s medical needs
- Physical or sexual abuse by staff
- Resident-on-resident violence
- Medication errors
Who Can Be Held Liable When a Nursing Home Resident Dies?
There are a few potentially liable parties in a wrongful death case like this. Negligent parties could include:
Nursing home staff: Workers who mistreated your loved one or neglected their medical needs may have contributed to their untimely death.
Owners of the facility: If the people running the facility do not care about the residents, taht is likely to trickle down to the rest of the staff. Owners who do not do their due diligence when hiring staff should be held liable when their workers cause harm.
Other residents: The staff at this facility should be keeping a close eye on all of the residents. If they allow one resident to harm another, everyone involved should be held accountable.
How Long Do I Have to Sue For Wrongful Death?
Your family does not have an unlimited amount of time to pursue wrongful death damages. The statute of limitations gives New Jersey residents two years to sue. That can seem like a lot of time, but the days and months can pass by surprisingly quickly sometimes. You should talk to a lawyer as soon as you begin contemplating a suit against the nursing home.
What Damages Can Be Won in a Wrongful Death Case?
The damages in a wrongful death case should address more than the financial costs. If your loved one suffered an untimely death in a nursing home, that caused emotional and psychological trauma for you and your family as well. Your settlement should be calculated with all of the following in mind:
- Medical expenses of your loved one
- Loss of guidance or companionship
- Burial and funeral costs
- Any other pain and suffering experienced by your family
Ask to Schedule a Case Consultation
If you want to sue for wrongful death damages, you don’t have to do it on your own. Contact Falcon Law Firm and ask to schedule a free case consultation. There is no obligation, so take this chance to learn more about your legal options and what an experienced attorney can do to help your family in this difficult time.
