For many of us that read about hospital negligence cases, it is usually the patients that suffer a loss during or after treatment. In a recent story published in People magazine, the latest case of hospital negligence in New York led to the death of a worker who was also a patient and due to something seemingly unrelated to his injury.
A New York man sought treatment at the hospital he worked for as a custodian for a finger injury on a Thursday. After he was treated in the ER, he was not heard of or seen again until the discovery of his body in a third floor bathroom, five days later. The man’s family and friends contacted the hospital several times after they could not reach him, finally demanding the hospital review security tapes for the day of his visit. It was then that hospital staffers found the man’s body in the bathroom. What sent him into the bathroom or how he became locked in the room is still unknown but is being investigated.
The victim’s family is now claiming negligence on behalf of the hospital for failure to keep track of their patient and worker. The reason of how or why the hospital went a full five days before checking that particular bathroom is also in question. Family members are shocked at the level of negligence they feel the hospital displayed during the week their loved one was missing.
While this is not the typical case of hospital negligence, it does go to show that truly anything can happen when individuals do not practice diligent safety protocols. Depending on the outcome of the investigation, the family members may seek legal counsel. If you or someone you love has suffered a loss at the hands of hospital staff members, you may benefit by speaking to a trusted personal injury attorney.
Source: People, “New York City Hospital Worker Found Dead After Being Locked in a Bathroom for 5 Days”, Tara Fowler, Oct. 6, 2015
