Losing a loved one who has suffered from a chronic or long-term illness can be devastating to the surviving family members, but may also provide a sense of relief because the victim’s suffering is over. However, when it is clear to the family members that more could have been done to save the life of their loved one, they may seek the assistance of a wrongful death attorney.
A Pittsburgh widow and other family members recently filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the University of Pittsburgh Mercy hospital for the death of her husband. The victim was afflicted with a digestive disorder and had been treated several times at this hospital since 2010. The lawsuit alleges that the hospital failed to provide adequate care while the husband was in the hospital because he did not have medical insurance.
A wrongful death occurs when a person’s death is caused by the negligence of another, and the surviving family suffers monetary injury due to the death. Each state has its own laws governing wrongful death lawsuits, though pecuniary, or monetary, damages are the main measure of damages in these types of cases. The determination of a damage award depends on the examination of many factors, including the age and health of the victim, as well as the circumstances of the surviving family members.
In this case, it is not known how much the family is requesting in monetary damages. According to the complaint, the husband was taken to the hospital and informed that emergency surgery was required. A CT scan was scheduled and then cancelled, and the husband was left unattended over a period of 14 hours, according to statements by the family’s attorney.
Source: www.wpxi.com, “UPMC Mercy named in wrongful death lawsuit,” June 27, 2013