The Cochran Firm Legal Blog

The family of a psychiatric patient who died on the floor of New York City's Kings County Hospital Center in Brooklyn has settled their wrongful death suit for $2 million. However, the family is still waiting for a full investigation into those who were responsible for the woman's death last summer.

The 49-year-old woman was waiting in the hospital for nearly 24 hours when she collapsed. The surveillance video of the woman thrashing and trying to get up as hospital staff and other patients watch was beamed across the country sparking obvious and understandable outrage. The video shows several security guards and medical staff watching the woman and then walking away. It wasn't until an hour after she stopped moving that a nurse checked the patient's pulse only to find she had died.

Six hospital employees lost their jobs over the incident, but according to the US Department of Justice, it was simply listed among other abuses which occurred at Kings County over time. Investigators state that a pattern of inadequate care, sexual abuse, and violence all took place. Reforms have been made, including replacement of two top administrators and adding 200 medical personnel to the 600 person staff. The average wait time in the psychiatric emergency room was an astounding 27 hours prior to adding staff. However, the wait time is still an uncomfortable eight hours.

If you have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another party, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim. Please contact the experienced wrongful death attorneys at the Cochran Firm for an initial consultation. We serve clients nationwide.

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