by Colin G. Meeker, Attorney at Law
email: [email protected] :: 
office: 330.253.3337 :: 
mobile: 330.603.7173
On April 26, 2020, representatives from Erie County, PA nursing homes stated that they lack an adequate supply reserve. The nursing homes are stretching their equipment beyond its intended use to make the supplies last. According to the administrators, PPE, N95 masks, gowns, gloves and hand sanitizer have all become difficult to come by. The nursing homes have been forced to modify the use of their equipment. For example, the nursing homes are using N95 masks for up to a week and limiting the use of those masks to a small number of employees who must move between buildings. Some nursing homes are allowing limited use of cloth masks, which are not considered PPE by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cloth masks are not medical grade and their ability to protect health care providers is unknown.
As the number of Erie County COVID-19 cases increase, we would like to send our thoughts out to everyone affected by the virus.
Nursing Home Liability
The COVID-19 pandemic is certainly an uncommon event. However, it is unacceptable to read reports which indicate that nursing homes are running low on PPE and hand sanitizer. Similarly, it is troublesome that these same nursing homes, who are low on supplies, are using old supplies for an extended period of time or using other materials not approved by the Center for Disease Control. Failure to prepare for an outbreak, such as COVID-19, is grounds for a Coronavirus lawsuit against the provider. When essential supplies are missing, resident’s lives are put at risk. Families of residents must ask themselves why essential supplies are not available? It would be heartbreaking to learn that a nursing home, which generated great profit in 2019, did not use their wealth to properly equip its facility for a potential calamity. If your loved one has passed away due to Coronavirus while at a nursing home and you have concerns, you should always speak with a Coronavirus attorney in your time of need.
The COVID-19 attorneys at Blakemore, Meeker & Bowler Co., L.P.A. are currently counseling families who have lost loved ones at nursing homes due to COVID-19 now. We are experienced in litigating wrongful death and personal injury cases and will be with you while we assist you in compensating you for your loss. Please contact Attorney Colin G. Meeker at (330) 603-7173 for help understanding your legal options.
Note: We have constructed this post using outside sources, including news bulletins and first-hand accounts from outside sources. The details concerning this accident have not been independently verified and so, if you have identified false information, please inform us immediately. We will adjust the post to reflect accurate content.
Disclaimer: At Blakemore, Meeker & Bowler Co., L.P.A., we are always looking to improve the quality and safety of our state and have been saddened by the outcome of the COVID-19 pandemic across Ohio. We hope to inform those in our community about the outbreak in the hopes that those who are responsible for taking care of our elders will work to avoid unnecessary loss of life in the future. These posts are not to be taken as a solicitation for business. The information within should never be misconstrued as medical or legal advice. We hope that all involved in the Coronavirus epidemic will receive a speedy recovery.
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