13.07.2024 11:10
An 82-year-old woman in New York was mistakenly declared dead and found alive by a funeral home worker after being placed in a body bag. The woman passed away in the hospital the next day. Her sons have filed a lawsuit against the nursing home and funeral home for negligence and wrongful death. The family wants to know how this mistake occurred and highlights the issue of elderly neglect in nursing homes.
A woman in New York, who was mistakenly declared dead and placed in a body bag, was found alive by a funeral home worker. 82-year-old Janet Balducci was living at the Water's Edge Rehabilitation and Care Center in Long Island and was pronounced dead by a nurse on February 4, 2023. However, an employee at Casimir Funeral Home noticed that she was still breathing.
DIED THE DAY AFTER BEING FOUND ALIVE
Janet, who was taken to the hospital, passed away the next day. Her sons, Robert and Joseph Balducci, filed a lawsuit against the care facility and the funeral home for negligence and wrongful death.
The family has applied to the Suffolk County Supreme Court to find out how this mistake occurred. Attorney Peter DeNoto questions whether the nurse followed the criteria necessary to determine if someone is dead or not. He also noted that the incident highlights the issue of elderly neglect in nursing homes.
FAMILY FILES LAWSUIT
The lawsuit claims that the care facility failed to treat Janet's deep vein thrombosis. Court documents allege that her condition worsened due to the negligence of the staff. The family has filed a compensation lawsuit against the care facility for "excessive and outrageous conduct."
On the day Janet died, the case was reported to the New York State Attorney General's Office and the Suffolk County Police. However, the family stated that investigations are still ongoing and they have not received any information yet.