in a nursing home death case why would the lawyer ask for a social security number of the day

What happens when a patient dies in a nursing home?

The nursing home wrongful death attorneys at the Nursing Home Law Center work as advocates and counselors for families wanting justice for a loved one's wrongful death. Contact our law firm today at (800) 926-7565 (toll-free phone number) or through the contact form to …

Is it possible to make a nursing home pay for wrongful death?

Getting an experienced nursing home lawyer investigating quickly can be important to finding out what really happened. But a word of warning: any “personal injury” lawyer can say “I do nursing home cases.” Any lawyer can put a page on their website talking vaguely about nursing home cases. Do your homework and ask them tough questions:

Who is the decedent in a nursing home lawsuit?

Feb 25, 2022 · Benefits of settling a nursing home abuse case include: ... and the family received $1.3 million in compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit. A nursing home abuse lawyer can estimate how much money you’ll receive ... If you call our legal help phone number (800) 896-7040, you will be connected to a partner law firm to discuss your ...

What is the number one cause of death in nursing homes?

Feb 23, 2019 · In some states, both types of action are filed in the same lawsuit. It helps to understand the “parties” in a wrongful death and survivor action lawsuit. The family member who died is called the decedent. The family members filing the lawsuit are the plaintiffs. The nursing home accused of causing death is the defendant.

How much is a nursing home wrongful death settlement?

Nursing home wrongful death settlement amounts vary in each case. However, several past settlements have awarded $1 million or more. A family recei...

What's the largest nursing home settlement?

The largest nursing home lawsuit settlements award tens of millions of dollars. For example, a family received $13 million after a retired judge di...

How long does it take to settle a nursing home lawsuit?

Nursing home lawsuit settlements can typically be reached in a few months. Your lawyer will keep you updated as to if and when you can expect a set...

What is the average settlement for nursing home neglect?

Average settlements for nursing home negligence may be worth thousands of dollars or more. Though nursing home neglect may not be an intentional ac...

How much can I receive from a bedsore lawsuit settlement?

A bedsore, also known as a pressure ulcer or pressure sore, is a life-threatening problem that occurs when blood flow to the skin is cut off. Since...

How do I find out how much my lawsuit settlement is?

Contact an experienced attorney to find out how much you could receive by settling a wrongful death or personal injury case. Lawyers can analyze th...

Move Quickly When Someone Unexpectedly Dies in a Nursing Home

A nursing home resident should not die suddenly and unexpectedly except by a diagnosable and not-preventable medical condition.

How We Investigate Sudden Nursing Home Deaths

Here is an overview of how we investigate sudden deaths in nursing homes generally. Every case is different, and may involve different approaches.

Getting an Experienced Nursing Home Lawyer on Board Early

Time is of the essence in getting an investigation started when a loved one dies unexpectedly in a nursing home and you can’t get answers.

Our No Fear Guarantee

You’ve probably seen the lawyer ads: “No Fee Guarantee!” “No Fees if We Don’t Win!”

Find the Right Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyers for You

Nursing homes are regulated by federal and state regulations that most personal injury lawyers know nothing about.

What Can We Do to Improve Nursing Home Conduct?

Nursing Homes are corporations: they speak the language of money. Corporations, even non-profit corporations, are not real people; they do not have hearts, minds, or souls.

What Damages are Available?

Money damages available in a nursing home lawsuit can involve economic costs (medical bills, etc.), emotional harms like pain and suffering, disfigurement, disability, and, if the injuries cause death, the mental anguish and loss of family members for wrongful death.

What is wrongful death in nursing homes?

In wrongful death cases, the actions or inaction of the owner or staff members caused an older person to lose their life. Settlement Amounts For Similar Cases: A precedent for nursing home abuse settlements may be based on previous cases, but they can also vary depending on the jury.

How long does it take to settle a nursing home lawsuit?

It can take several months to reach a settlement in a nursing home abuse lawsuit. How long it will take typically depends on settlement negotiations. Some lawsuits may reach settlements right before or even during a trial. As your lawsuit progresses, your lawyers will let you know if and when to expect a settlement.

What is a nursing home settlement?

What Are Nursing Home Settlements? Nursing home settlements occur after lawsuits have been filed by plaintiffs (victims of abuse and their family members) against the defendants (usually the nursing facility, its staff, and/or administrators).

What is settlement in a lawsuit?

Other expenses as needed. Settling the lawsuit often allows plaintiffs to receive compensatory damages relatively quickly and avoid going to trial, where either side could win the case . Most lawyers will encourage clients to reach settlements, but the decision is ultimately up to the person filing the claim.

What happens when a lawyer cannot negotiate a settlement?

If the lawyers cannot negotiate a settlement, then a mediation begins with a private mediator or judge who works with the two parties. The mediator meets with both parties together and then separately to reach an agreement.

How much did the nursing home in Illinois get paid for the burns?

The resident received a nursing home negligence settlement of $1.5 million.

Can you sue a nursing home for abuse?

Filing a lawsuit and seeking a nursing home abuse settlement can be intimidating. Thankfully, the process can be made easier with help from an experienced lawyer. Many victims of nursing home abuse and their families choose to settle because it is generally less expensive than a trial.

Why do nursing homes die?

The gut-wrenching fact is that many nursing home residents die a wrongful death caused by abuse and negligence. Here’s what you need to know about making the nursing home pay for their cruelty and greed.

Can a nursing home be negligent?

It’s nearly impossible to prove a nursing home was negligent without the legal resources of an experienced attorney. Your family member already had health limitations that required nursing care. It’s all too easy for the nursing home to blame your loved one’s death on pre-existing medical conditions.

What are the requirements for a nursing home?

Nursing homes are licensed and regulated by the state. Most state regulations include strict nursing home guidelines pertaining to: 1 Distribution of medications to patients 2 Food and dietary needs of patients 3 Nursing home staff qualifications and training 4 Dementia care 5 Infection management

Why are older adults at risk for falls?

Slips and Falls: Older adults are at risk for life-threatening falls because of muscle weakness, instability, dizziness, poor vision, and the effects of certain medications. Anyone in the business of caring for the elderly has a duty to assess the needs of each patient and to provide a safe environment.

What are the most common infections in nursing homes?

Infections common to nursing homes are urinary tract infections , diseases causing diarrhea, and super-infections including MRSA and other staph-type infections. Infections can develop from careless catheter care, poor person hygiene given to patients, failure to provide appropriate incontinent care, and more.

How many nursing home residents die from malnutrition?

Malnutrition and Dehydration: As many as two out of every ten nursing home residents suffer from malnutrition and dehydration that could ultimately result in death. Confusion, difficulty chewing or swallowing, and impaired ability to handle food make it hard for nursing home patients to get enough to eat on their own.

Is physical abuse a crime?

While physical abuse may not be apparent as the direct cause of death, consistent abuse can cause gradual deterioration of health and ultimately be the underlying cause of death. Physical or sexual assault on a nursing home resident is a criminal offense.

How old was the woman who died in a nursing home?

This wrongful death settlement was reached in 2019 after a 90-year-old woman died just two months after being admitted to a nursing home. An attorney for the family noted the woman developed bedsores due to neglectful staff members.

Do you have to file a nursing home lawsuit?

You do not have to file the nursing home lawsuit yourself. Your attorney files for you in the right court system based on the facts of your case. 3.

How much does a nursing home settlement cost?

Settlements are the most common way nursing home abuse lawsuits end. According to one health journal, the average U.S. nursing home settlement amount is $406,000. Settlement amounts vary based on several factors, but some families have received over $1 million.

What is a nursing home settlement?

Nursing home settlements are legal agreements between the party filing a nursing home abuse lawsuit (plaintiff) and the party being sued (defendant). In a settlement, the plaintiff receives a negotiated amount of money to cover medical bills and emotional suffering.

How much did the assisted living facility pay for a woman who was abused?

The facility was originally ordered to pay $7.5 million after losing a trial but later reached a settlement for a slightly lower amount.

What is a bed sore in nursing home?

A bedsore, also known as a pressure ulcer or pressure sore, is a possibly life-threatening health problem that occurs when blood flow is restricted to parts of the body. Since bedsores in nursing homes are so dangerous, families may be able to receive notable amounts of compensation if a resident develops one.

What happens when a defendant's lawyer cannot settle?

Mediation typically occurs if your lawyers and the defendant’s lawyers cannot reach a settlement on their own. During mediation , a private mediator or judge will attempt to get the two sides to reach a settlement.

Common Causes of Death in Nursing Homes

No caring individual wants to fathom that another human being would deliberately cause the death of an elderly person in a long-term care center. The reality is, however, that through neglect or abuse by the nursing home or its employees, many elderly residents die each year in this country. The most frequent causes of these deaths are shown below.

Slips and Falls

With the progression of aging comes a natural diminishing of balance, strength, and overall health. Accompanying this decline are weakened muscles, poor eyesight, dizziness, and instability that all lead to a greater risk of falling.

Infection

Shockingly, around 3 million serious infections run rampant through elderly care facilities each year. The resulting 380,000 resident deaths annually could have been drastically reduced if proper infection-control methods had been enforced.

Malnutrition and Dehydration

It is estimated that at least a third of the millions of nursing home residents experience such serious malnutrition and dehydration that these deficiencies lead to their deaths. To prevent this, at a minimum, every staff member should be properly trained in helping with meals and feeding residents.

Physical Abuse

Approximately half of all dementia patients in nursing homes run the risk of suffering from physical abuse. Violence between elderly patients who have disabilities is very common. While there is a risk of abuse for all elderly residents, some are more vulnerable than others. The risk of death is, of course, higher for residents who suffer abuse.

Medical Malpractice

Many people only connect medical malpractice to outpatient centers and hospitals, but it does occur in nursing homes as well. If a health condition isn’t properly diagnosed or treated, an elderly patient can die. If a nurse fails to notify family members or a doctor of behavioral or health changes, a resident can quickly deteriorate.

Pursuing Legal Action

Family members of an elderly person who died in a nursing home under circumstances such as the ones listed above should immediately contact us.

A problem with the system

Many of these nursing home deaths are labeled the simple, natural result of old age or other ailments common to those in the elderly population. According to pbs.org, the truth is that few nursing home deaths are investigated. This is due to the nature of how deaths are ruled suspicious.

A widespread issue

The National Center on Elder Abuse reports that instances of elder abuse and neglect are so widespread that we have no true way to know for certain how many people are affected by it every year. One study found that only one in 14 cases is ever reported.

It could happen to anyone

Unfortunately, these horrors often occur in Illinois. A South Holland, Illinois nurse is a suspect in the deaths of three elderly patients who were under her care. According to WGNTV.com, six patients at a nursing home were hospitalized recently for unknown causes.

When a nursing home death occurs

After losing an elderly loved one, it is never easy. Things are made even worse when the death seems suspicious. Those who have lost loved ones in a nursing home should always follow their instincts. If they feel that something is not right, they should take the time to determine whether or not foul play was involved.