An Alabama jury recently awarded $5 million to the family of a woman who died, allegedly due to a severe nursing home injury.

According to the lawsuit, the deceased woman, Alice R., was admitted to the Jackson Hospital in Alabama August 2015 for an injury allegedly incurred in a nursing home. Unfortunately, in the following months, Alice developed a serious ulcer on her lower back and upper left arm, which her family alleged was due to the hospital staff failing to properly turn and reposition her as necessary to avoid bed sores and ulcers like this one.

Her family claims that this ulcer was extremely painful for Alice and, in the last months of her life, brought significant suffering to her bedridden state up until her death on November 3, 2015.

The lawsuit claims that hospital staff even knew that Alice was a high risk for pressure ulcers, yet still failed to follow the preventative policies that would have saved Alice a great deal of pain and suffering. During the trial, attorneys for the plaintiff said that hospital staff went so far as to falsify entries regarding Alice’s care.

The Jackson Hospital maintains that it “vigorously disputes the plaintiff’s allegations, is disappointed in the verdict, and plans to appeal,” per one of the hospital’s attorneys reported by AL.com.

The nursing home injury lawsuit was filed in October 2015—before Alice’s death the following month. While the trial took place nearly four years later, and therefore far too late for Alice herself to see, the jury’s award of $5 million is set to go to her estate for her nursing home injury.

Tragically, Alice’s injury, suffering, and death is far from the only instance of nursing home injury, neglect, or abuse. Indeed, neglect in nursing homes is a significant issue in homes for the elderly and hospitals across the United States.

In fact, as many as 5 million Americans over the age of 60 are subjected to nursing home abuse, neglect, or exploitation each year. A vast number of these cases are not reported to authorities.

This is not the first lawsuit to be filed over nursing home neglect—or even abuse. Nursing home neglect has become a serious problem in the United States. Some common signs of nursing home neglect include physical injuries like bed sores, pressure sores, malnutrition, dehydration, fractures, and frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Of course, these medical issues can occur without any wrongdoing involved, but may also indicate that the patient is not being properly and consistently cared for according to Nursing Home Abuse Center.

Filing a Nursing Home Neglect Lawsuit

If you or someone you love has suffered from nursing home injury, neglect, or abuse, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Of course, filing a lawsuit cannot undo the pain and suffering caused by abuse or neglect, nor can it bring a loved one back to life, but it can at least hold those responsible accountable for their actions, as well as offer some financial compensation.

After the suffering or death of a loved one, it can be difficult or overwhelming to pursue litigation. Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork by connecting you with an experienced nursing home neglect attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.