by Colin G. Meeker, Attorney at Law
email: [email protected] :: 
office: 330.253.3337 :: 
mobile: 330.603.7173
December 31, 2019: Chinese authorities alert the World Health Organization of pneumonia cases in Wuhan City, Hubei province, China, with an unknown cause, later referred to as COVID-19.
January 20, 2020: First case of COVID-19 confirmed in the United States (State of Washington).
January 21, 2020: The World Health Organization confirms human-to-human transmission of COVID-19.
March 9, 2020: Ohio put under a state of emergency after three people tested positive for COVID-19
March 11, 2020: Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announces restrictions for visitation at nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
March 20, 2020: Ohio health officials report the first COVID-19 death in Ohio.
March 22, 2020: Ohio’s Department of Health issues stay-at-home order.
April 3, 2020: Ohio’s COVID-19 death toll climbed to 91 as more than 3,000 people tested positive for the virus.
April 13, 2020: The Department of health issues an Order that requires long-term nursing facilities to notify residents and families within 24 hours of a resident or staff member becoming infected with COVID-19.
As the number confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths increase throughout America, we would like to send our prayers out to everyone affected by the virus.
Nursing Home Liability
The above timeline suggests that the American healthcare system knew of COVID-19 as early as December 2019. The timeline also indicates that the first confirmed US COVID-19 case was found in mid-January in the State of Washington. As has been reported countless times, elderly residents of nursing homes are at great risk of contracting the virus. Even with the advanced notice, and even though the virus first came to the US in Washington, which is many miles away, why are Ohio’s nursing homes having such a difficult time battling COVID-19?
A nursing home’s COVID-19 preparation and response is critical. Family members of nursing home residents must question what the nursing home did prior to the COVID-19 outbreak to protect its residents. Waiting to act until the virus crossed Ohio borders is too late. Trying to obtain masks, gowns, gloves and hand sanitizer after a pandemic starts is unreasonable. As a nursing home’s elderly population are so susceptible to COVID-19, a nursing home must have prepared itself for any outbreak prior to its occurrence. If your loved one has passed away due to Coronavirus while at a nursing home, and you question whether the home was ready for an outbreak, you should always speak with a COVID-19 attorney in your time of need.
The COVID-19 attorneys at Blakemore, Meeker & Bowler Co., L.P.A. are currently investigating cases where loved ones have been losed at nursing homes due to COVID-19. 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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