COVID-19 Nursing Home Infection

Jed Dietrich, Esq., Distinguished as a New York Super Lawyer and American Institute of Trial Lawyers Litigator of the Year, and His Team of Aggressive, Tenacious, and Hardworking Attorneys at the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. Fight to Obtain the Best Result for Victims Who Were Exposed to the Coronavirus at Nursing Homes in Buffalo, New York; Niagara Falls, New York; Rochester, New York; Throughout New York State and Beyond.

The devastating effects of COVID-19 have been felt by many families and communities throughout the world. No one has escaped the pandemic’s detrimental impact, and thousands of loved ones across Western New York are struggling with the abrupt and painful loss of family members. One of the most severely affected communities in NYS has been senior citizens, especially in long-term care facilities. Nursing homes play a significant role in keeping our loved ones, who are no longer able to care for themselves, safe. While some nursing homes have done an outstanding job complying with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the New York State Department of Health’s (DOH) directives and recommendations for containment of the virus, many have failed miserably.

The very nature of nursing homes requires them to always be on high alert due to the underlying medical conditions and advanced ages of their residents. Eldercare facilities had a legal duty to protect residents from exposure to COVID-19. As soon as residents began exhibiting signs and symptoms of the coronavirus, caregivers were legally obligated to isolate them and provide necessary medical treatment. In cases where elderly care centers failed to protect residents, outbreaks were much more likely to occur. Unfortunately, many facilities turned a blind eye to the pandemic, and, consequently, at least 15,000 NYS nursing home residents paid the ultimate price.

Every nursing home should have devised a special pandemic plan to keep residents safe. When elderly care facilities lacked plans or failed to ensure that caregivers followed proper COVID-19 protocols, residents’ lives were placed in unnecessary danger. There is no excuse for any health care facility neglecting to adhere to all of the CDC’s guidelines and DOH’s directives. During the pandemic, nursing homes were closed off to outsiders, and families were forced to rely upon these facilities to protect their loved ones. Despite assurances that their relatives would be adequately cared for, countless elderly care centers carelessly neglected or even abused their obligations. Consequently, many residents of assisted living communities suffered severe COVID-19 symptoms and death. If you, or a loved one, have suffered from severe health problems or worse after being negligently exposed to the coronavirus in a health care facility, you should consult with our best of the best coronavirus nursing home injury attorneys.

Recently, Governor Cuomo repealed previous COVID-19 liability protections for nursing homes and other health care providers throughout the state. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s battle-tested team is deeply committed to fighting for the rights of nursing home victims who were irresponsibly exposed to the coronavirus. We have vast experience in obtaining justice and know how to assertively pursue these types of negligence claims. Victims and their families deserve justice for being unnecessarily exposed to COVID-19 and suffering severe symptoms. Victims may have a legal right to monetary compensation for their present and future medical bills, permanent disability, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment, loss of consortium, and wrongful death. We are dedicated, disciplined, and determined to get you the best possible result after your elderly care facility COVID-19 infection in Buffalo, New York, throughout New York State, and beyond. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s seasoned team offers complimentary case evaluations and consultations. Jed Dietrich, Esq. would be honored to speak with you about your case. Our highly experienced team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 716-839-3939, or by filling out the online consultation form. There is never a fee unless we WIN for you!

Since the coronavirus poses such a substantial risk of severe illness and death among the elderly, it is crucial to be aware of the signs. In seniors, COVID-19 symptoms often include:

1. Loss of taste;
2. Loss of smell;
3. Fever;
4. Fatigue;
5. Shortness of breath;
6. Difficulty breathing
7. Persistent cough; and
8. Chest pain or pressure.

Nevertheless, coronavirus symptoms can vary widely in older individuals, and some may even experience atypical symptoms. If you think that you or a loved one may have COVID-19, our veteran attorneys urge you to seek emergency medical treatment.

Nursing homes charge a great deal of money in return for accepting the responsibility of caring for our elderly loved ones. During the pandemic, every long-term care facility had a legal obligation to take all reasonable measures to protect their residents from coronavirus exposure. Some necessary steps that elderly care centers should have taken include:

1. Developing a comprehensive pandemic care plan to help minimize the risk of infection and reduce the rate of COVID-19 transmission among residents;
2. Making sure both staff and residents followed social distancing guidelines when possible;
3. Obligating use of personal protective equipment by caregivers, including masks, gowns, shields, and gloves;
4. Ensuring residents suspected of being infected were isolated and quarantined;
5. Implementing strict sanitation practices, including frequent disinfecting and cleaning;
6. Hiring and retaining qualified staff members;
7. Sufficiently training employees how to manage the pandemic;
8. Educating caregivers on identifying and monitoring COVID-19 symptoms;
9. Ordering infected staff members to stay home from work;
10. Employing an adequate number of personnel to manage residents;
11. Bringing residents with severe infection symptoms to hospitals;
12. Administering medication as needed.

Regrettably, during the pandemic, many nursing home residents did not receive the care and treatment that they rightfully deserved. In cases where elderly care centers failed to meet the above necessary steps, especially in light of the CDC’s recommendations, they may be found to be negligent and held accountable for residents that became infected by the coronavirus. 

For over 20 years, Jed Dietrich, Esq. has exclusively handled serious personal injury cases. Jed Dietrich, Esq. has battled to obtain over $175 Million in verdicts and settlements for victims who were injured in Buffalo, New York, throughout New York State, and beyond. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s battle-tested team has witnessed the devastating consequences that negligent nursing home care can have on victims, and ultimately their loved ones. Our seasoned lawyers possess the knowledge and skills required to methodically examine your COVID-19-related injuries and ensure that you are in a position to receive the highest possible compensation for your injuries. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s honorable commitment to exceeding your expectations and delivering an excellent outcome is what sets us apart from the competition. Our veteran team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 716-839-3939 or by filling out the online consultation form. We are the aggressive, tenacious, and hardworking personal injury lawyers who are ready to fight for the compensation that you deserve!

Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at 716-839-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Buffalo, New York. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!