When a loved one goes into a rehabilitation center, it can be a scary event. Trauma due to illness or injury can cause families to feel vulnerable when they need to be watchful caregivers ready to advocate for their loved one’s protection. It is easy to unquestionably trust a facility’s care at times like this. While many facilities are highly rated, sometimes things don’t go as they should.

Approximately 10% of Americans aged 60 and older living at home experience abuse, neglect, or exploitation. In nursing homes or other care communities, nearly 16% of residents report being abused. In 2023, U.S. nursing homes received 94,499 health citations, with 8.1% (7,654) related to abuse, neglect, or exploitation of residents.

Wrongful deaths can occur, and families need to be prepared to take legal action if necessary.

Brain injury is the highest cause of death in rehabilitation centers this century. In the last century, organ failure was the most prevalent cause of death. Often caused by trauma of blunt force, the result of brain injury is twofold. The initial or primary brain injury involves neuronal damage, and secondary injuries can occur later due to hypoxemia, hypotension, seizures, and intracranial hypertension. These secondary injuries are a significant contributor to mortality. They are preventable with timely treatment, such as advanced trauma and life support (ATLS) and a CT scan. Without timely care, they may directly affect mortality. If a breach of expected care occurs, it is vital to act on it to avoid being a victim of injustice.

Negligence in Rehab Centers

The lack of timely care can also be called negligence. When it occurs, documentation will hold the facility and its workers accountable for future reference. Family members and friends need to be vigilant and watchful of falls, increased physical ailments, and emotional withdrawal behavior of their loved one at the facility and know these are indicators that neglect might be occurring. Gathering evidence, including the date and time of concerning events, medical personnel on call, medical data, pictures, and eyewitness accounts, can serve as legal proof for a negligence claim in the case of death. Lack of documentation may result in an inability to collect rightful compensation in the event of death due to facility neglect.

These parameters apply to substance abuse rehabilitation centers, too.

 

When to Call an Attorney for Wrongful Death due to Neglect

If someone’s death in a rehabilitation facility occurred due to the wrongful actions of another, hiring a personal injury attorney may be appropriate. Pursuing legal action is intended not only to support the family experiencing the loss but also to dissuade facilities from acting in ways that may cause death or harm to residents from happening in the future. If filing, it is essential to know the statute of limitations for your state. A wrongful death due to negligence in rehab facilities and nursing homes attorney in California, Cameron Sehat, can help. Please contact us now for a free consultation.

Documenting medical errors benefits the patient and their family. Negligence related to digital health technology, drugs and medications, patient safety, and healthcare professional burnout may cause harm, leading to death, that an attorney can compensate.

Although it may seem counterintuitive, family members must be purposeful toward their loved one’s care in a medical facility. Rehabilitation center employees may care, but the immediate family is the front-line defenders when a loved one’s life is at stake.