Legal protections are available for victims of nursing home negligence and their families. A judge in Illinois recently upheld a jury award of $4.1 million to the family of a nursing home resident that was not given her anti-clotting medication, suffered a stroke and later died. The judge also added $1.5 million in attorney’s fees to be paid by the nursing home to the woman’s family. Representatives for the victim’s family noted that the award of damages was a record under the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act. Representatives for the nursing home noted they intend to appeal the award of damages and are requesting a new trial.
According to newspaper reports, the woman entered the nursing home for physical therapy after she fractured her left hip. The woman was taking the blood thinner medication Coumadin, however, records revealed that she did not receive her blood thinner medication for two weeks. She suffered a stroke the following month and died four years later. The jury found that the stroke contributed to her death and that the stroke impacted her ability to enjoy her life.
A nursing home death can be devastating for a family that has entrusted a loved one to the care of a nursing home. It is important that surviving family members are familiar with the legal resources and options available to help them when their loved one has been killed because of nursing home negligence. Legal options are available to help surviving family members following the loss of a loved one.
When a nursing home has not properly cared for a loved one and injury, death or other harm has resulted, legal remedies can help them recover compensation for their emotional and financial damages. Family members should be familiar with the legal resources and options available to them after suffering a difficult loss.
Source: McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, “Illinois court upholds record $4.1 million award in nursing home stroke case,” Kimberly Marselas, March 29, 2018
