When a person dies as a result of negligence on the part of another person, the family of the deceased often chooses to file a lawsuit to seek financial compensation. The amount requested in a wrongful death suit can be based on several different factors, such as medical costs relating to the death, funeral and burial expenses, and even pain and suffering experienced by the members of the family. The son of a Colorado woman was awarded over $5 million after he filed a wrongful death suit against the nursing home in which his mother was living at the time of her death.
During the nearly seven months in which she was a resident, caregivers would find the 77-year-old woman lying in her own bodily waste. Visiting family members observed numerous bruises and bedsores and realized she was malnourished and dehydrated. It is believed that the inattention preceding these conditions also facilitated illnesses such as pneumonia and urinary tract infections that eventually led to her death.
During the jury trial, it was discovered that the nursing home had been cited several times for comparable mistreatment of other residents. One member of the jury went so far as to suggest that the state should take a closer look at and administer harsher penalties to the facilities that have multiple repeated violations. The executive director of the nursing home stated in a report that they refute the claims of negligence, and they will appeal the decision.
Negligence does not only happen in nursing homes. Distractions while driving a vehicle, carelessness while watching children in a daycare setting or mistakes made by healthcare professionals can all lead to the death of a loved one. Colorado residents experiencing such a difficult loss will want an advocate who can deal with the legal system and fight for justice through a wrongful death lawsuit.
Source: krdo.com, “Jury awards $5.5M for wrongful death at Pueblo nursing home”, Holly Morrison, May 16, 2016
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