For nursing home residents and their loved ones, the risk of an illness or injury due to negligence is prevalent even under the best of circumstances. During the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, for many, the risks are greater than ever.
Nursing homes have been described as being on the “front lines” of the COVID-19 crisis; and, in certain respects, they are. However, it is also widely recognized that many nursing home residents are getting sick under circumstances that can – and should – be avoided. Recently, an organization representing nursing homes has asked governors and state legislatures to grant nursing homes immunity from COVID-19 infection lawsuits. This is an outcome that is not justified, as it would prevent nursing homes from being held accountable and would leave far too many families without the financial compensation they need and deserve.
Families Coping with COVID-19 Infections from Nursing Homes Deserve to Be Fairly Compensated
In both Oregon and Washington, nursing homes are held to a certain standard of care. They have an obligation to protect their residents against avoidable harm, and this includes infections from contagious diseases such as COVID-19. Nursing home residents are at high risk for serious and potentially-fatal complications, and this means that nursing home administrators, caregivers, and staff must implement appropriate protocols and safeguards to prevent transmission within their facilities.
How do you know if your (or your loved one’s) nursing home is not doing enough to prevent the spread of COVID-19? While negligence must be judged on a case-by-case basis, some signs that a nursing home might not be doing enough to protect its residents include:
- Caregivers and staff members are not wearing protective masks or face shields when in the proximity of nursing home residents;
- Residents are not being afforded the opportunity to maintain adequate social distancing and/or do not have access to masks, face shields, and gloves;
- Sufficient sanitation measures have not been implemented in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 throughout the nursing home;
- Residents who present with symptoms of COVID-19 are not being adequately quarantined or provided with immediate access to testing and treatment; and,
- Residents have not been promptly informed of a co-resident, administrator, caregiver, or staff member being diagnosed with the novel coronavirus.
This list is not exhaustive, and we would encourage anyone who has any concerns about possible exposure to COVID-19 in the nursing home setting to seek help. Contact your doctor right away if you are concerned about possible exposure or symptoms, and seek help from an Oregon or Washington nursing home negligence lawyer as soon as possible.
Why Should You Contact a Nursing Home Negligence Lawyer Regarding COVID-19 Exposure?
If you are like many people, you have questions – and perhaps even apprehensions – about hiring a lawyer. You know that people hire lawyers when they need help, but you might not be exactly sure how a lawyer can help you. If this is the case, we want you to know that we understand, and we want you to feel comfortable contacting us even if you are not sure what type of help you need.
When we represent nursing home residents and their families, we assist with all aspects of responding to and remedying instances of nursing home negligence and abuse. This includes, but is not limited to, handling matters including:
- Obtaining Professional Medical Care – First and foremost, we want to make sure our clients are safe. If you believe that you or a loved one may be infected with COVID-19, we can help you obtain professional medical care immediately. If the nursing home is trying to prevent you from seeking care (which usually happens in situations in which administrators know they have been negligent), we can deal with the nursing home for you while you focus on getting tested, getting treated, and recovering.
- Finding a Better Nursing Home – If you or your loved one needs to move into a different nursing home, we can provide you with recommendations, and we can deal with the transfer process for you while you or your loved one is recovering. You do not have to stay with a negligent nursing home, and you should not let anyone else tell you otherwise.
- Calculating the Financial and Non–Financial Costs of the Nursing Home’s Negligence – While the financial costs of seeking medical treatment for a severe COVID-19 infection can be significant, the non-financial costs of a life-altering or life-threatening infection can be far more substantial. In order to avoid unmanageable financial stress and to ensure that you or your loved one is able to live as comfortably as possible, it is imperative that you seek just compensation for all of the financial and non-financial harm caused by the nursing home’s negligence.
- Seeking Just Compensation for You and Your Family – Finally, a nursing home negligence lawyer can seek just compensation on your behalf. Filing a claim is complicated, and the process can be very stressful. At D’Amore Law Group, we take these factors out of the equation by handling the entire process on behalf of our clients. Our lawyers will deal with the nursing home and its insurance carrier on your family’s behalf, and we will work diligently to ensure that you receive just compensation as quickly as possible.
Sadly, many nursing home residents are contracting COVID-19 unnecessarily due to the negligence of their facilities’ administrators, caregivers, and staff. If you are facing this situation, you deserve better. Our attorneys represent nursing home residents and families throughout Oregon and Washington. If you have questions about your family’s legal rights, we encourage you to contact us promptly for a complimentary consultation.
Speak with a Nursing Home Negligence Lawyer at D’Amore Law Group
Would you like more information about your family’s legal rights as the result of a COVID-19 infection caused by nursing home negligence? To speak with an experienced attorney at D’Amore Law Group in confidence, please call us directly or request an appointment online today. We serve nursing home residents and families throughout Oregon and Washington.
