A federal nursing home lawsuit has been filed and is claiming that a Lehigh County nursing home’s failure to properly staff directly resulted in the death of a resident. 

Nursing Home Resident Dies After Fall 

On July 5th, 2017, a female resident, who was in the facility because she was completely dependent upon others and required constant care, was being moved from her bed by a certified nursing assistant. The CNA was attempting to move the patient alone when they lost their grip and dropped the resident. 

The resident landed on her face and knees. Her weakened condition caused her femur to fracture and other serious injuries. She was rushed to the hospital for treatment but the stress of her injuries caused her to go into cardiac arrest. After being revived multiple times, her body gave out and she died. 

A lawsuit has been filed by the resident’s loved ones, alleging that Cedarbrook Nursing Home was “intentionally and grossly understaffed” and that the resident’s level of care suffered as a result, putting her in a dangerous situation. The legal complaint also alleges that the nursing home has failed to provide the resident’s complete medical records. 

The plaintiffs are seeking more than $75,000 in compensation. 

Falls Are A Leading Cause Of Injury & Death In Nursing Homes 

Even a perfectly healthy adult can be seriously injured in a fall. When a patient is elderly and suffering from various physical ailments, a fall can be deadly. 

Part of the reason why the sick and elderly choose to live in a nursing home is so that they have physical support and care. This means that they are helped with everyday tasks, including moving and walking. 

When a nursing home isn’t properly staffed it limits the amount of time that employees can spend with each resident. This results in residents who are frustrated and decide to move without assistance, residents who wander into unsafe areas, and employees who attempt to perform tasks that shouldn’t be done alone. 

Falls also occur because of structural issues in nursing homes. Common structural issues include: 

• Broken Steps 
• Broken Handrails 
• Wet Spots 
• Snow & Ice 
• Loose Wires 
• Loose Carpeting 

It is the responsibility of the property owner and managers to ensure that any potential hazards are fixed as quickly as possible and that warning signs are placed around any issues that still exist. 

Why Should I Consider Filing A Lawsuit Against A Nursing Home? 

If you or a loved one have suffered due to the negligence or abuse that occurred in a nursing home, you could be owed significant compensation. Through a civil lawsuit, you could recover compensation for past and future medical bills, physical pain, and emotional trauma. 

If the nursing home resident who has suffered trauma is unable to take legal action or if they have passed away from their injuries, their children, parents, or spouse may be able to take legal action on their behalf. 

How Do I Know If I Have A Case? 

Our law firm offers free consultations to those who think they may be eligible to file a nursing home neglect or abuse lawsuit. During this review, we will determine all of your legal options and carefully explain each option. 

Our legal team fully understands how complicated, stressful, and upsetting these situations are. Our goal is to ensure that you or your loved one is safe and that you obtain the compensation that you need. We walk every client through the legal process step by step and ensure that all questions are answered in a timely manner. 

We believe that excellent communication builds a foundation of trust between attorney and client and we strive to communicate in a manner that is best suited to you. To learn more about our law firm, our past cases, and how we can serve you, call today.