A wrongful death lawsuit has been brought against Bridgeview Health Care Center after an 81-year-old resident of the facility passed away in April, his death partly due to COVID-19 [Source: The Chicago Tribune]. James Zbonski’s family filed the complaint in Cook County Circuit Court, alleging “gross negligence on the part of administrators and staff at Bridgeview.” The Chicago Tribune reported that Zbonski passed away April 6th at Advocate Medical Center in Oak Lawn from COVID-19, acute respiratory failure, and pneumonia.
The source cited that Bridgeview had reported 34 cases of COVID-19 and 15 deaths to state officials as of May 29th. The lawsuit alleges that “the rehab center failed to monitor patients and staff for symptoms of the virus and didn’t properly isolate patients who showed symptoms.” The complaint adds that “Zbonski’s roommate at the health care center had exhibited symptoms of the virus and died just days before [him].”
The family claimed that while facility administrators were aware that residents and/or staff were symptomatic or had tested positive for COVID-19, “staff lacked necessary protective equipment.” The family believes Zbonski’s death was “a byproduct of years, if not decades, of the nursing home’s mismanagement, misallocation of resources, and understaffing.” The news source cites that Bridgeview Health Care has been “cited numerous times in recent years by state health officials for not properly disinfecting medical equipment and not developing and implementing infection control measures.”
In a recent review by Medicare and Medicaid inspectors, it was discovered that the home “failed to follow practices to contain the spread of COVID-19 by proper use of personal protective equipment and proper handling of clean and soiled linen.” Because Zbonski’s family believes the nursing home lacked in certain areas, including failing to implement infection control and prevention measures, they are seeking an excess of $50,000 in damages.
Although it can be difficult for nursing home staff members to prevent a virus from entering a nursing home, they are expected to respond in an efficient manner. This means implementing safety measures recommended by U.S. health officials as well as following state safety guidelines. Nursing homes that fail to properly respond to the spread of an infectious disease which leads to the death of one or more residents puts the facility at risk of being sued.
Suing a Nursing Home on Behalf of a Resident Whose Death Stems from Negligence
Nursing home neglect lawsuits aren’t only used to help a family recover compensation for expenses related to the untimely death of their loved one, but they are also used to recognize a nursing home facility and/or staff member for the deficiencies that led to the resident’s death. If a loved one of yours recently passed away and you think their death was caused by negligence, the Chicago, IL nursing home neglect lawyers at Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. can help you seek justice.
You can contact Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. at:
221 North La Salle Drive, Suite 1100
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: 1-312-384-1920
Website: www.dinizululawgroup.com
