Who Should I Contact If I Suspect a Wrongful Death at a Nursing Home
When you place your loved one in the care of a nursing home, you might assume that you are making the right decision and that he or she will receive the care they need. Unfortunately, many nursing homes hire individuals who should never work in this profession, and this can sometimes lead to a tragic death. In some cases, a nursing home wrongful death case arises from abuse that continues for years and is never reported. However, if you believe that your loved one passed away due to nursing home abuse, there are several ways you can report this.
Contact the Authorities
By contacting the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116, you will receive specific information regarding what numbers you should call in your state. Also, make sure to contact:
- The elder's primary care doctor
- An elder patient advocate
- The elder's social worker
- Immediate members of the elder's team
- A medical malpractice attorney
After contacting the authorities, the nursing home might face a fine. Not only do you have an obligation to seek justice for your family member, but you also have a duty to make sure that nobody else is harmed by the negligent nursing home.
Seek the Compensation You Deserve
Around 5 million nursing home patients are abused each year. Some patients are not fed or given enough water and may suffer from dehydration. Others are placed under excessive restraints, physical or chemical, and pass away due to these measures. Nursing home patients are even victims of physical abuse.
You will be entitled to wrongful death benefits if you are a:
- Spouse of the deceased
- Parent of the deceased
- Child of the deceased
Some states allow even grandchildren and other family members to seek compensation for wrongful death.
Calculate the Damages
If your loved one needed expensive medical treatments prior to passing away due to the negligence of a nursing home, you may be entitled to medical expenses. A representative of the estate of the deceased can file a wrongful death claim that seeks compensation for the pain and suffering that the deceased experienced.
Additionally, you may be entitled to damages due to losses you have suffered as a result of the death. These can include:
- Loss of support that the plaintiff would have otherwise received
- Loss of inheritance
- Loss of companionship or consortium
- Loss of protection, care, or services
- Mental anguish
A wrongful death attorney will help you understand how much you are entitled to for each of these damages. Then, you can move forward with civil litigation.