The family of Mary Stevens recently won a personal injury lawsuit for nursing home neglect and was awarded $1 million in damages. The case stemmed from serious and fatal injuries suffered by the elderly resident who was 71 years old at the time of her death. The family filed the lawsuit in May 2012.
Injuries at the Nursing Home
In their lawsuit, the family claimed that:
The elderly resident suffered from infected pressure wounds – more commonly known as bedsores – which were directly caused by the negligence of the staff at the Beachwood nursing home.
The decedent also suffered severe and fatal injuries when the nursing home staff allowed her to become seriously ill and her condition deteriorated as a result.
The nursing home failed to inform the decedent’s family of her condition.
Due to inadequate staff at the nursing home, the quality of medical care and supervision declined as non-medical personnel made decisions on the decedent’s medical care.
The jury awarded the decedent’s estate punitive damages in the amount of $560,000 and compensatory damages in the amount of $440,000.
Nursing Home Abuse in Ohio
Along with elder abuse, nursing home neglect is considered a silent epidemic in Ohio, with reported incidents said to be much lower than the actual occurrence in facilities that offer care to elderly residents.
The elderly resident’s family often find out about the neglect or abuse at a later stage due to several factors such as:
- The patient’s lack of capacity or dementia
- The patient’s reluctance to seek treatment
- The dependence on the at – fault staff and aids
If a loved one shows signs of nursing home neglect and suffers injury as a result, they may be entitled to compensation.
Importance of a Personal Injury Attorney in Nursing Home Neglect
When pursuing a claim for compensation arising from nursing home neglect, it’s important to gather all evidence that will establish injuries, cause of the injuries, and the roles certain personnel have in the injury.
As your “Voice For The Injured” Condeni Law in Cleveland can send a Notice to Preserve Evidence to the nursing facility and, when necessary, file an action to discover evidence necessary to evaluate the potential claim. We will also secure the services of experts who are necessary to establish liability and the extent of the injuries.
In Ohio, the personal injury attorneys at Condeni Law, LLC are here to help you in nursing home neglect cases and helping families obtain justice for their loved one’s injuries, pain and suffering. We welcome your call today at (216) 771-1760 to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys.