When a person is entrusted to the care of medical professionals at a nursing facility in Hawaii, his or her family members have the right to reasonably assume that all care and treatment provided will be offered according to the highest levels of accepted safety standards. Medical malpractice is cited as a probable cause of death in many situations throughout the state each year. Residents in other states are also dealing with such issues, as evidenced by a lawsuit recently filed in a circuit court in another jurisdiction.
The wrongful death claim was filed by an executor of a deceased woman’s estate. The plaintiff has alleged that medical staff in a nursing facility where the decedent resided failed to provide appropriate care and adequate supervision of the patient. At the time of her death, she was found to have suffered severe skin breakdown and serious pressure ulcers on her body.
The lawsuit asserts that the woman’s death may have been prevented had she received the proper care to which she was entitled as a resident of the nursing and rehabilitation center. Damages in excess of $50,000 have been sought. A request has also been submitted for a trial by jury.
If a person in Hawaii suspects that a loved one’s death was caused by medical malpractice, there are immediate actions that may be taken to seek justice on the decedent’s behalf. A first logical step would be to contact a personal injury lawyer in the area to arrange a consultation. A consulting attorney can investigate a claim to help identify all possible sources of liability and determine the maximum amount of compensation that may be claimable in a given situation.
Source: cookcountyrecord.com, “Wrongful death claim alleges negligence by hospital, nursing home“, Louie Torres, Aug. 10, 2016