If your loved one lives in a nursing home, you expect that the staff there will attend to their needs and take good care of them. When the workers at such facilities neglect the residents, that can lead to illness and untimely deaths. If you believe that your relative passed away due to nursing home abuse or negligence, you should take steps to hold those careless parties accountable for the harm that they caused. Our Monmouth County wrongful death attorneys can help you.
What Are Common Causes of Wrongful Death for Nursing Home Residents?
Plenty of things can prove dangerous for residents of nursing homes. The most common causes of death are related to neglect of the staff and a lack of proper monitoring of residents. Some issues that pop up often in wrongful death cases like these include:
- Slips and falls and other accidents
- Medication errors
- Lack of medical care
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of a medical problem
- Physical abuse
Who Can Be Sued When a Nursing Home Resident Dies Unexpectedly?
There could be multiple people to blame for the untimely death of a nursing home resident. You could end up suing any of the following for compensation:
- Nursing home caretakers
- Administrative staff
- The owner of the facility
- Caretakers brought in from other agencies or providers
- Other residents who caused your loved one harm
What Kinds of Damages Can I Win in a Wrongful Death Case?
When you sue for damages in a wrongful death case, you should not just be reimbursed for the economic costs you suffered. Losing a loved one can cause a significant amount of trauma as well, so that should be part of the calculation when compensation is being negotiated. A fair offer would address matters like:
- The cost of a loved one’s medical care
- Loss of guidance or companionship
- Funeral and burial costs
- Any other pain and suffering the family experienced due to this loved one’s passing
In some extreme cases, you could even be awarded punitive damages. These are not meant to compensate you, but instead meant to show that the behavior of the defendants was so egregious that no one should consider emulating it.
How Long Do I Have to Sue For Damages?
You have two years to sue for wrongful death in New Jersey. If you wait any longer than that, it’s likely that your case will be thrown out due to the statute of limitations. So if you decide that you want to pursue damages, you should act as quickly as possible and contact our law firm.
Meet With Our Legal Team
If you think that you have a valid wrongful death lawsuit to pursue, you don’t have to seek out damages on your own. Contact the Wilton Law Firm and ask about our free case consultations. We’re ready to tell you more about your legal options.
