July 11, 2013
A Wisconsin wrongful death lawsuit was filed on behalf of an 85-year-old woman who died after wandering away from an assisted living facility. The lawsuit claims the woman’s death was caused by the negligence of the facility and its staff members.
An article published by The Northwestern explains that on January 17, 2013 in Appleton, Wisconsin, surveillance video from The Heritage shows the victim walking out of an exit door just after midnight. Records from the facility show her being asleep in her bed at a 2 a.m. bed check.
The video continues to show the woman attempting to re-enter the facility for roughly half an hour before wandering away. She was found covered in lesions and bruises just before 5 a.m. one mile from the facility.
Paramedics attempted to rush the woman to a hospital, but she died along the way. The coroner determined the victim died as a result of hypothermia caused by exposure to frigid outdoor temperatures. Her injuries were caused by several falls she suffered during the incident.
The family filed suit for an unspecified amount, claiming the facility failed to protect their loved one from harm, ultimately leading to her death.
The Appleton personal injury attorneys with Sigman Janssen Injury & Disability Lawyers hope a decision in the case will bring closure to the family of the victim.
