Minnesota Wrongful Death Lawyer for Coronavirus Deaths Due to Nursing Home Negligence
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all of us. Some have suffered from the virus itself, others from economic side effects. But the most vulnerable of our citizens are our family members and friends who reside in long-term care centers. Not only is the over age 65 population most likely to suffer life threatening symptoms; the limited environment of some nursing home makes social distancing difficult.
Strict measures established by government entities must be enforced in order to prevent deaths. Sadly, not all nursing homes are in compliance.
COVID-19 Nursing Home Wrongful Death Liability
Nearly 1 in 10 nursing homes have reported coronavirus cases. In the particularly vulnerable age group of residents in these long-term care facilities, individuals already experiencing serious health symptoms are much more likely to become fatalities. As of mid-April, 2020, nearly 7000 COVID-19 deaths had occurred in nursing homes.
Were all of these deaths inevitable? Not likely. Some facilities are more attentive than others when it comes to implementing strict preventive measures designed to limit staff and patient exposure to coronavirus.
Already overcrowded and understaffed, many nursing homes cut corners on sanitation and safety measures. Accountability regarding rules designed to prevent the spread of infection may be missing. Some sites have not provided staff with sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE).
Such negligence increases disease incidence under normal circumstances. During this COVID-19 crisis, negligence paves the way for rampant spread of the virus resulting in multiple fatalities.
“More needs to be done. The number of deaths is appalling,” says Rhonda Richards, senior legislative representative for the American Association of Retired Persons in this USA Today article.
Preventing COVID-19 in Nursing Homes | COVID-19 Nursing Home Liability
The CDC offers clear guidelines for prevention of the spread of coronavirus in long-term health care facilities. Basic rules at this time to prevent COVID-19 infection include:
- Frequent and thorough disinfecting of all surfaces is required, especially those touched frequently by staff or residents.
- Masks must be worn by staff members at all times.
- Gloves must be worn and hands must be frequently washed.
- Outside guests and caretakers are federally prohibited from visiting during the COVID-19 crisis.
- Staff must be prohibited from entering the facility if experiencing fever, cough, or other common coronavirus symptoms.
The managers and employees must follow CDC guidelines for preventing infectious disease at all times. COVID-19 poses perhaps the greatest risk of any virus we have encountered during our lifetime. Every person working in a nursing home must be made aware of the imperative nature of following the details of these requirements. Should staff fail to do so, they are considered negligent.
COVID-19 Nursing Home Wrongful Death Lawyers
When already suffering from stress ourselves, the loss of a loved one can be devastating. “Should a lawsuit be filed against the long-term care facility where my family member resided?” many ask. The correct response differs with each case. A wrongful death lawyer can assess the situation to determine whether practices were improper, rules not followed, critical care neglected.
The early stages of planning for a lawsuit are most critical. It must be determined:
- Why the death or permanent health damage happened.
- If a negligent party at the nursing home is responsible.
- Whether the long-term care facility took proper preventive measures to protect against COVID-19 infection.
A personal injury/ wrongful death lawyer will bring survivors peace of mind by assess whether action is warranted, and if so, guiding the victim’s family through the legal process.
Contact A Dedicated Coronavirus Attorney in Minnesota
Many of us must entrust a loved one’s health to the staff at a long-term care facility. If you believe negligence by a nursing home contributed to your loved one’s death due to COVID-19, we at the St. Paul Personal Injury team of Swor and Gatto, offer our condolences.  Contact us to confidentially discuss your concerns with our skilled legal team.