Immunocompromised individuals and the elderly are most at risk for the devastating and possible deadly impact of coronavirus (COVID-19). Many of the 100,000+ global deaths from coronavirus were in elderly patients with other underlying health conditions. Those who live in assisted care facilities are especially vulnerable, due to the close contact and quarters. This is especially true when the care facility charged with protecting your loved one fails to follow infection control guidelines and safety precautions.

If your loved one has contracted COVID-19 while living in an assisting nursing facility and passed away as a result, call 1-800-444-5309 now for a free consultation. The Pisanchyn Law Firm’s wrongful death attorneys will provide compassionate representation while fighting for the justice deserved.

ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY AND NURSING HOME RESPONSIBILITY

While COVID-19 has been an unprecedented event worldwide, nursing homes have a duty to follow infection control measures, at all levels, at all times – not just during a global pandemic – due to the care they provide and the population they house. Failing to implement these measures, and additional coronavirus guidelines mandated by the government, is negligent and are grounds for filing a claim for your loved ones COVID-19 contraction. Some of these measures include:

• Frequent Disinfecting of Surfaces and Objects
• Wearing proper Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), i.e. Masks and Gloves, and additional PPE depending on the patient’s prognosis.
• Changing gloves after each use
• Hand washing in between each patient visit and treatment
• Restricting Visitors, Vendors, Caretakers
• Screening Essential Personnel for COVID19
• Prohibiting group activities and meals to stop the spread from possible non-symptomatic carriers
• Isolating Residents with Coronavirus

While many of these items are relatively common – isolation and quarantine are unique and can be difficult for many assisted living facilities. While guilt may be involved with removing residents from socialization, it is the best course of mitigating spread of coronavirus, and it should be done quickly, especially if residents are showing symptoms.

As soon as a resident shows signs of fever, cough, shortness of breath, COVID-19 should be on the list of possible causes and a test ordered. The patient should also be quarantined until COVID-19 is ruled out.

Failing to follow these steps and failing to protect healthy residents from a contagious patient is negligence on behalf of the facility, and the results can be catastrophic.

FEDERAL REGULATIONS FACILITIES MUST FOLLOW

According to the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services, a Federal agency, nursing homes must employ and follow a strict infection control program, including but not limited to:

• investigate, control and prevent infections in the facility;
• isolate potential carriers of infection, like COVID-19;
• prohibit employees with infectious disease from coming in contact with residents, their food, or their linens; and,
• maintain a record of infection control incidents and preventative actions taken, related to infection control.

If your loved one contracted COVID-19 while in a nursing home or similar facility, our attorneys will investigate their infection control policies, federal and state mandates, and the logs or records that show these steps have been taken. We will also review all required reporting to the state – including potential infections, confirmed infections, and steps taken to mitigate further spread.

CORONAVIRUS WRONGFUL DEATH LAWSUIT VS. THE NURSING HOME

As we have seen all too often, policies and procedures put in place to protect the vulnerable are disregarded. Despite the severity of coronavirus, some facilities will still not adhere to the steps needed, causing tragic deaths.

Our nursing home neglect attorneys can help your family pick up the pieces after a coronavirus death inside a facility. Our law firm brings unique expertise, compassion and understanding when dealing with these cases.

If your loved one has been passed away as a result of COVID-19 while in a nursing home or assisted facility, our excellent wrongful death attorneys can help. Call 1-800-444-5309 for a free consultation.

While we are working remotely during this time, we are still available 24/7 and can serve you via phone, email and video chat.