When you are visiting a loved one in a nursing home, something might seem wrong, but you just can't put your finger on it. Your loved one is acting strange and seems distressed about his or her time at the nursing home. Then, your loved one passes away unexpectedly. If you believe that your loved one was neglected and that this might have contributed to his or her passing away, you are entitled to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit.
The Cause of Death is Often Covered Up
Improperly-trained staff may choose to use methods of care that are very harmful to your loved one. Then, when your loved one has passed away, the staff members may try to cover up the real cause of death. Therefore, you will need a wrongful death attorney and medical experts to conduct an investigation and reveal the actual cause of the death. For example, while the hospital claims that your loved one passed away from complications related to a prior stroke, the real cause of death may have been the administration if an improper medication.
You May Have Noticed Signs of Neglect and Abuse
Try to remember if you noticed anything odd before your loved one passed away. For example, were there unexplained bruises, infections, bedsores, cuts, welts, unexpected weight loss or weight gain or broken bones? Then, were there explained and unpreventable reasons for thee injuries? If not, your loved one may have received abusive care.
Unsanitary Facilities Can Be Deadly
How was the quality of the nursing facility? Did it appear unsanitary? Persistent evidence of uncleanliness can indicate that the hospital did not take measures to sanitize the hospital and prevent infections. As a result, your loved one may have developed an infection that lead to death.
Others May Have Noticed Abuse as Well
If you are not sure, consider looking at the online reviews of the nursing home. If your loved one received inadequate care, it is likely that others at the facility also received substandard care. Other reviews may remind you of issues that you had noticed while visiting the facility, but forgot. Also, talk to others who visited your loved one, such as friends and family, and ask them if they noticed anything.
An Autopsy Can Reveal What Really Happened
Fortunately, an autopsy will reveal the cause of death and can also determine if there was neglect. Bed sores that are infected, medications that have a fatal interaction, or even signs of physical abuse will be revealed in the autopsy and can then be used by a wrongful death attorney to prove that you and your loved one deserve compensation.
For more information and assistance with your claim, contact a professional law firm, such as Allison & Rickards, Attorneys at Law, LLC.
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