It was reported last week that the family of a New York nursing home resident who died of a fractured skull when a 200-pound closet fell on her, has sued the nursing home, alleging that its gross negligence and recklessness caused the woman’s death. The complaint does not seek a specific amount of damages. Fines have already been levied against the home by state regulators in connection with the incident, and the Attorney General is apparently investigating possible criminal charges.
The complaint alleges that there were two previous incidents in which a closet unit had tipped over on to residents, but the home did not arrange for similar units to be bolted to the wall. Essentially, it is alleged that the home was aware of the danger of closets tipping over, but took no steps to prevent future incidents.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of nursing home negligence in Oregon or Washington, please contact us for a free consultation.
