Nursing homes in New Mexico that do not properly exercise a standard of reasonable care regarding their residents may face claims for financial liability in civil court. In an out-of-state case, a nursing home was sued for wrongful death. A jury recently awarded the plaintiff more than $5.5 million in this nursing home neglect case, which involved a resident who passed away at the facility.
A 77-year-old woman became a resident of the facility in 2013 but is said to have experienced repeated neglect and abuse. As a result of the treatment she reportedly received, the woman suffered several infections and bed sores. According to the lawsuit, the woman also experienced dehydration and malnutrition. She was also severely bruised.
The woman passed away at the facility about seven months after being admitted. Following a trial that lasted two weeks, the jury awarded the deceased woman’s son, the plaintiff, damages totaling $500,000 for wrongful death. In addition, the plaintiff was awarded more than $57,000 in economic damages stemming from negligence, as well as punitive damages totaling $5 million.
When people in New Mexico lose their lives due to nursing home neglect, the surviving loved ones have the right to pursue financial accountability through the civil court system. An understanding of what proof must be presented in this type of case is important. Monetary compensation cannot restore the life of a family member who has died due to nursing home neglect, but it may help to cover financial losses and provide some measure of justice for unjust acts.
Source: fox21news.com, “Jury awards over $5.5 million in Pueblo nursing home lawsuit“, Alexa Mae Asperin, May 16, 2016
