The decision to place a loved one in a nursing home is never made lightly. Families trust these facilities to provide care, safety, and dignity during a vulnerable stage of life. But when that trust is broken — and a preventable death occurs — families are left devastated and searching for answers. In such cases, it may be appropriate to pursue a wrongful death claim.
At May Herr & Grosh, we help families hold negligent nursing homes accountable. In this post, we’ll explain what qualifies as wrongful death in a nursing home setting, common signs of negligence, and when to contact a wrongful death lawyer to explore your legal options.
What Is a Wrongful Death?
A wrongful death occurs when a person dies due to the negligent, reckless, or intentional actions of another. In nursing homes, this can involve caregivers, medical staff, or administrators whose failure to provide adequate care results in fatal injuries or illnesses.
Examples include:
- Failure to monitor serious medical conditions
- Delayed response to emergencies
- Medication errors
- Malnutrition or dehydration
- Physical abuse or neglect
- Failure to prevent falls or infections
When a death is preventable and caused by substandard care, the law may entitle surviving family members to pursue compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Nursing Homes
Wrongful deaths in long-term care facilities are often linked to systemic issues such as understaffing, inadequate training, or poor facility management. Common causes include:
➤ Falls and Injuries
Many residents are fall-prone and require supervision or assistive devices. If staff fail to implement safety protocols, the result can be fatal head injuries or fractures.
➤ Medical Negligence
Administering the wrong medication or failing to monitor chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or infections can quickly become life-threatening.
➤ Bedsores and Infections
Untreated pressure ulcers can lead to sepsis, which is often fatal in elderly individuals. This is typically a sign of long-term neglect.
➤ Abuse or Assault
Sadly, some residents suffer physical, emotional, or sexual abuse at the hands of caregivers or other residents — leading to trauma, injury, or death.
➤ Neglect During Pandemics or Outbreaks
Inadequate infection control, as seen during COVID-19 outbreaks, has led to thousands of preventable deaths in nursing homes across the U.S.
Signs That May Indicate Wrongful Death
If your loved one passed away in a nursing home under suspicious or unclear circumstances, pay attention to the following warning signs:
- Unexplained injuries or bruises
- Sudden changes in behavior before death
- Lack of communication or inconsistent updates from staff
- Unclear or conflicting reports about how the death occurred
- Missing or altered medical records
- History of violations or complaints at the facility
These red flags may suggest neglect or abuse and should not be ignored. A wrongful death lawyer can help investigate further.
When to Contact a Wrongful Death Lawyer
Grieving families often hesitate to seek legal action, unsure if what happened was truly “wrongful” or just an unfortunate event. But time is critical. Pennsylvania, for example, has a statute of limitations of two years for filing wrongful death lawsuits.
You should contact a lawyer as soon as possible if:
- You suspect neglect or abuse played a role in the death
- Staff have provided vague or contradictory information
- Medical records seem incomplete or withheld
- Other residents or family members raise concerns
- You simply want an independent review of what happened
An experienced wrongful death lawyer can review the facts, consult medical experts, and determine whether you have a viable claim.
What Can a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Achieve?
Filing a wrongful death lawsuit is about more than money — it’s about accountability, justice, and preventing future harm to others.
Compensation may include:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Medical expenses prior to death
- Pain and suffering of the deceased
- Loss of companionship and support
- Punitive damages in cases of extreme misconduct
More importantly, legal action can bring systemic issues to light, leading to improved safety standards and protections for other vulnerable residents.
Final Thoughts
No family should have to endure the heartbreak of losing a loved one due to negligence in a place meant for care and protection. If your loved one died under questionable circumstances in a nursing home, don’t let silence or uncertainty keep you from seeking the truth.
At May Herr & Grosh, we offer compassionate, skilled representation for families navigating wrongful death claims. We understand the emotional weight of these cases and work tirelessly to secure justice and closure for our clients.
Contact us today for a confidential consultation. Let us help you uncover the truth — and hold those responsible accountable.
