For many New York residents, having to put a loved one in any sort of long-term care facility can be a difficult decision. There are so many horror stories about the care patients receive — or lack thereof — in nursing homes, but sometimes families have no other choice. When there are signs of abuse, neglect or medical negligence, family members of the victims may be entitled to take legal actions against those responsible. Recently, a settlement was reached in a medical malpractice case involving a rehabilitation center in another state. Video footage released regarding this case has made national headlines.
In Feb. 2014, an 89-year-old World War II veteran cried out for help from his bed at a rehabilitation facility. His cries, according to video footage taken from a hidden camera placed by the elderly gentleman’s family, were ignored. When he finally fell unconscious, nursing staff laughed as they poorly attempted CPR and waited for about an hour to call 911. Sadly, the patient died.
It took over three years for the family members of the deceased to finally reach a settlement with the care facility. The details of that settlement have not been made public. The nurses involved in the incident have been fired and the state revoked their licenses. An apology has been issued by the nursing home.
There is no reason that any patient should be treated in the manner which this gentleman was treated. Medical negligence is a serious matter, one that should not be taken lightly. New York residents who have been victims of medical malpractice or who have lost loved due to medical negligence may be entitled to seek compensation for their losses. Legal claims may be pursued with the assistance of an experienced attorney.
Source: msn.com, “Video shows nurses laughing as dying WWII vet calls for help”, Jessica Schladebeck, Nov. 18, 2017
