Earlier this summer, a man, who was a patient at Aventura Hospital, died after another patient at the hospital strangled the man with a bed sheet. The two men had been patients at the hospital in the same room. A housekeeper found the victim’s body on the floor. Police questioned the other patient. Police arrested and charged the man with first degree murder after he admitted to killing the victim.
The victim’s roommate had been arrested numerous times, for assault, possession, and theft. He also served jail time in connection with assaulting a woman. On another occasion outside of a Miami Beach Condo building, police arrested the man for trespassing and resisting arrest. The man apparently told police that he owned the building while he was physically attacking the police. The man has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and had been admitted to the hospital for treatment.
In response to the death, the hospital issued a statement saying it was “reviewing [the hospital’s] procedures, working with the appropriate agencies and taking all measures to further ensure the well being and safety of [the hospital’s] patients.”
Family Filed Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Hospital
The family of the man who was strangled, however, did not believe that the hospital did enough to prevent his death. Following the victim’s death, the family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Aventura Hospital claiming that the hospital’s negligence caused their son’s death.
The family believes the hospital knew (or should have known) that the other patient in the room was dangerous and should not have been in the same room without the necessary supervision. A representative for the family stated that “this is a case of inexcusable neglect, allowing a patient to die at the hands of a criminal.”
Fortunately for the family, they were able to resolve the lawsuit quickly by reaching a settlement with Aventura Hospital. Documents released in connection with criminal investigation may shed some light on why the hospital settled the lawsuit so quickly with the victim’s family. According to hospital rules, staffers are required to check on the rooms every 15 minutes to make sure patients are safe and secure. Surveillance video at the hospital revealed, however, that 92 minutes passed between when a staffer initially checked on the room and when the housekeeper found the victim on the floor. In part, this may explain why the hospital quickly settled the wrongful death lawsuit.
Contact a Miami Wrongful Death Attorney
If you have lost a loved one as a result of someone else’s negligent or reckless conduct, a Miami wrongful death attorney can advise you of your rights and the potential for damages. The Perez-Gurri Law Firm will do what it takes to help you obtain compensation for the loss of a loved one. We want to be there to help you through this difficult time and to make sure that you obtain the compensation you deserve. Examples of recoverable damages include loss of the victim’s wages and earning capacity, medical and funeral expenses, and emotional pain and suffering.
Contact a Miami wrongful death attorney today for a free initial consultation and case evaluation. You can call us 305-661-1200 or visit our Coral Gables office.
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