The grieving family of a man left for dead in his hospital bed while the nurse on duty played video games is considering taking legal action against the Veterans Administration (VA) and one of its facilities in Bedford, Massachusetts. A recent investigation by The Boston Globe revealed the victim, a former police officer and Vietnam veteran, may be just one of many mistreated patients at the VA facility over the years.
Members of Congress expressed outraged after learning details of the situation, including the callous nature with which the hospital staff handled the victim’s passing in 2016. Hospital staff initially told the deceased’s family the victim’s heart stopped and there was nothing doctors could have done. However, security camera footage would later reveal the nurse charged with checking in on the victim never left her desk and instead played video games throughout the night.
Furthermore, when another nurse discovered the victim dead in his bed, she gave a crude “cut throat” gesture to the supervisor signifying the victim passed away. While that nurse was eventually terminated from her position, the other nurse tasked with caring for the victim is still working for the same VA clinic in Bedford. An investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
When our loved ones enter the hospital, we expect them to receive the highest level of care and attention required to treat their condition. Unfortunately, some hospitals and their staff fail to properly monitor patients and provide the legally mandated standard of care other patients would receive in a similar situation.
While no amount of money can bring back the ones we love, health care providers often deny responsibility for their careless actions and must be compelled through legal action to acknowledge their liability. In these situations, retaining an experienced and dedicated medical malpractice attorney can help families get the answers needed to bring closure to their tragic situation.
The attorneys of The Cochran Firm, DC frequently represent medical malpractice victims and their families in the pursuit of justice against hospitals, doctors, and nurses that fail to properly care for patients. Our medical malpractice lawyers in Washington, DC are fully prepared to go the distance and get families the answers and compensation to hold careless parties responsible for the harm caused.
When someone is serious hurt or passes away under a doctor’s care, hospitals often assert the patient’s underlying medical condition was the cause of the injury. However, medical malpractice revolves around the care provided, not how sick the patient was. If victims can prove their doctor’s failure to provide medical standards of care resulted in an injury, the hospital may be liable to pay substantial compensation.
If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury due to a doctor’s negligence, contact The Cochran Firm, DC to schedule a free and confidential legal consultation. Our law firm represents clients on a contingency basis, meaning there are no upfront costs and our clients pay nothing until we win their case. Call 1-800-THE FIRM (843-3476) or fill out an online contact form with the details of your case.