Pennsylvania Nursing Home Sued Over COVID-19 Outbreak and Deaths
October 26, 2020
In the early days of the Coronavirus pandemic, citizens across the country were made aware of how deadly the virus could be for the elderly and those who have underlying health issues. Despite these warnings, massive COVID-19 outbreaks have plagued our nursing homes. To date, there have been more than 5,000 nursing home deaths related to COVID-19 in Pennsylvania. The Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center in Beaver County has been no exception; According to the state’s Department of Health, the wellness facility has had more than 330 residents get infected with the novel Coronavirus, with 73 of them ultimately succumbing to the virus so far this year.
COVID-19 Outbreak at Beaver County Nursing Home Results in Lawsuits
The families of 10 residents who passed away at Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center have filed a lawsuit against the facility for their poor handling of the viral outbreak. The lawsuit makes several claims against Brighton, stating that the facility lacked necessary infection control programs. Previous state inspections were used as evidence in these claims after it was discovered that the facility didn’t have any soap or paper towels at hand-washing sinks. The lawsuit also alleges that the facility failed to separate residents who tested positive for COVID-19 away from those who didn’t have it while also allowing infected staff members to continue working. The suit also alleges that the facility failed to accurately report on and provide information about the outbreak to both family members and health officials. The lawsuit is also being brought forward by the families of five current residents after their loved ones contracted the virus.
Jodi Gill, one of the plaintiffs mentioned in the lawsuit, claims that her father’s dementia has gotten worse after he contracted COVID-19. Gill stated that she is worried about another outbreak at her father’s facility.
The Nursing Home’s Response
A representative for the Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center said that the facility has “worked to closely follow the guidelines of governmental health officials.” The facility has also stated that they have gone months without a new case of COVID-19. The representative further stated that the “facility’s sole focus remains on ensuring the health and well-being of all residents and staff.”
Unfortunately, this is not the first time that a lawsuit has been filed against the facility. The family of an employee who worked at Brighton filed a lawsuit against the facility after the woman had contracted the Coronavirus while at work.
Read more: COVID-19 UPDATE: MUCH STILL HAS TO BE DONE TO PROTECT NURSING HOME RESIDENTS
Contact A Pittsburgh Personal Injury Lawyer To Discuss Your Nursing Home Case In Pennsylvania
Did your loved one sustain serious injuries due to nursing home abuse or neglect in Pennsylvania? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Goodrich & Geist, P.C. represent clients injured because of nursing home abuse and neglect in Pittsburgh and the surrounding Western PA counties. Call (412) 564-4770 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 3634 California Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15212.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
