Wrongful Death in Nursing Homes: What Families Need to Know

Losing a loved one in a nursing home is heartbreaking.But when the death was preventable — when it happened because someone failed to provide basic care, supervision, or medical treatment — families deserve answers. Wrongful death in long-term care is more common than most people realize, and facilities often provide explanations that feel incomplete, inconsistent, or impossible.

If you feel like something is off about your loved one’s passing, you are not alone — and you are not imagining it.

What the Data Shows

There is no single national dataset labeled “wrongful death,” but federal agencies track preventable harm, serious injuries, and failures in care — the very problems that often lead to fatal outcomes.

• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) has found repeated patterns of preventable harm, untreated medical conditions, and inadequate response to emergencies in nursing homes, many of which contributed to resident deaths. Source: HHS OIG reports on nursing home oversight.

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that nursing home residents face significantly higher risks of fatal outcomes from falls, infections, medication errors, and pressure ulcers, all of which can be linked to preventable negligence. Source: CDC, National Center for Health Statistics.

• The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) found widespread underreporting of serious injuries and deaths, including those resulting from falls and untreated wounds. Source: GAO-19-433; GAO-21-10433.

• The National Research Council identifies “failure to provide necessary care” as a major cause of severe injury and death among institutionalized older adults. Source: National Research Council, “Elder Mistreatment.”

These findings reflect what grieving families often feel: If the facility had acted sooner, responded better, or provided proper care — their loved one might still be alive.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Nursing Homes

Wrongful death is not a legal accusation — it is an avoidable fatal outcome.The underlying causes often include:

Medical Negligence

• Untreated infections (including sepsis)

• Missed medications or incorrect dosages

• Failure to monitor vital signs or symptoms

• Delayed response to medical emergencies

Neglect

• Dehydration or malnutrition

• Lack of supervision leading to fatal falls

• Bedsores that worsen into life-threatening infections

• Residents left in unsafe positions or unattended for hours

Abuse

• Physical abuse leading to fatal injuries

• Rough handling during transfers

• Staff who ignore cries for help

Environmental Failures

• Broken alarms or missing fall-prevention equipment

• Staffing shortages that leave residents unsupervised

• Unsafe or unsanitary conditions

When these failures converge — even briefly — the results can be tragic.

Warning Signs a Death May Have Been Preventable

Families often sense something is wrong long before they have the language for it.

Look for:

• Explanations that sound vague, rushed, or contradictory

• A facility that becomes silent or avoids follow-up calls

• Medical records that appear incomplete or altered

• Rapid decline without a documented cause

• Missing incident reports

• Staff who appear nervous or defensive

• A “cause of death” that doesn’t match your loved one’s condition

  
  

If a healthy, stable, or improving resident declines suddenly, that is significant.

Real Cases of Wrongful Death in Long-Term Care

Case Example 1: Resident Dies After Untreated Infection

An OIG investigation found that a resident died after staff failed to treat a worsening infection and did not follow physician orders. The facility did not notify the family until after the resident’s condition became critical.

Case Example 2: Fatal Fall Following Lack of Supervision

A GAO review found multiple instances where residents suffered fatal falls after being left unattended, despite documented high fall risk. In several cases, facilities failed to report the death properly.

Case Example 3: Death Following Severe Neglect Identified by State Inspectors

State inspection reports documented a case where a resident died from complications of a Stage IV pressure ulcer that had gone untreated for weeks. The facility had falsified repositioning logs.

These cases reflect a pattern: Wrongful death often happens quietly — behind paperwork, missing logs, and explanations that don’t make sense.

What Families Should Do If They Suspect Wrongful Death

You do not need evidence. You only need concern.

1. Request the full medical and facility records

Ask for:

• Medication administration logs

• Nursing notes

• Daily care logs

• Incident reports

• Wound-care documentation

• Fall logs

• Transfer and hospital records

Missing or incomplete records are themselves evidence.

2. Ask direct, written questions

Facilities are legally required to provide answers.

3. Obtain the death certificate and hospital records

Compare the facility’s story to the documented cause of death.

4. Speak privately with staff, if appropriate

Some may quietly share concerns they cannot document.

5. Get an independent medical review

Doctors can identify whether a death was consistent with natural decline or preventable failure.

6. Trust your instincts

If you feel something is wrong, it’s worth investigating — deeply.

How We Can Help

Wrongful death cases require experienced, coordinated investigation.When you contact iNursingHomeAbuse.com, you receive:

• A free, confidential case review

• Nationwide access to vetted attorneys experienced in long-term care wrongful death cases

• No upfront cost

• Guidance on which records matter

• Support in understanding the timeline of events

• Help identifying discrepancies in the facility’s explanations

• 
  

We understand how overwhelming this process is — especially while grieving. You do not have to face it alone.

You Deserve Answers — Your Loved One Deserved Better

If you believe your loved one’s death was preventable, you have every right to ask questions.And you have every right to pursue the truth.

We are here to support you, guide you, and connect you with professionals who can uncover what really happened.