May 2, 2013
In recent years, an alarming number of Wisconsin personal injury, wrongful death, and medical malpractice lawsuits have been filed against nursing homes in the state. An investigative report by the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism discussed the lawsuits and what people can do to protect their loved ones from harm.
More than 297 suits have been filed against long-term care facilities in the state since 1986. A majority of the claims, 167 to be exact, were settled out of court before a trial could take place. Only seven of the cases went before a jury.
Several recent changes to state law are making it harder for families to hold healthcare providers responsible for their negligence. Records of abuse and neglect, that could show repeat patterns of negligence at a facility and potentially persuade a jury to rule in favor of the victim, are no longer allowed in court.
The changes have prompted many citizens to become more concerned about the care their loved ones receive and what they can do to ensure their family members’ safety.
Sigman, Janssen, Stack, Sewall & Pitz and their team of personal injury lawyers in Oshkosh believe being actively involved in a loved one’s care by visiting regularly and asking plenty of questions of caregivers is one of the best ways to prevent a patient from being harmed.