Individuals who undergo surgical procedures or extended hospitalizations are often not well enough to go directly home. In many cases, such individuals have special health care needs which require the assistence and management of a trained health care professional. Many hospitals have special wings or facilities specifically devoted to treat patients who require ongoing medical services and assistence.

Patients admitted to rehabilitative hospitals often have special health care needs which require round-the-clock supervision and care. Patients often have individualized treatment plans based on their condition and needs. Hospitals who fail to provide for the adequate care and protection of patients undergoing rehabilitative or physical therapy should be held accountable.

A woman recently filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the hospital that was entrusted to care for her mother. The woman's mother was admitted to the rehabilitative hospital for roughly one week of treatment. According to the lawsuit, during that time hospital staff failed to follow an individualized care plan intended to prevent the patient from suffering a fall injury. 

As a result of the defedant's failure to intervene and prevent falls, the patient suffered a fall which resulted in a serious brain injury. The patient's fall injury caused her to lapse into a coma and subsequently die. 

The decedant's daughter recently filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the hospital in which she accuses the facility of negligence. The plaintiff is seeking to recover compensation related to the physical pain and suffering caused to her mother prior to her death. Additionally, the plaintiff is seeking to recover damages related to medical bills and funeral expenses. 

Source: The West Virginia Record, "Woman sues HealthSouth for mother's wrongful death," Kyla Asbury, May 31, 2013