Patients Often Injured in Overcrowded NJ State Healthcare Facilities

We like to think that our local hospitals are a safe place to when we or our family and friends need care.  This is doubly true if the person who needs treatment suffers from a severe mental illness. Though we live in a country that offers top of the line medical care, State hospitals that serve the impoverished, the mentally ill in need of long term care and the elderly are often overcrowded and understaffed. The result is unsafe conditions.

In many cases, State hospital staff do not provide the proper amount of observation or security that a patient needs in order to stay safe from other patients. This can be because they weren’t properly trained or because they have too many patients to care for at the same time. In an October 2014  incident at Trenton State Psychiatric Hospital, a patient brutally attacked and almost killed another patient. The victim ended up losing her eyesight and is now permanently disabled as a result of her attack. Where were the hospital workers? Patient on patient violence in hospitals and nursing homes is far more prevalent than you might think.

The attack in October is not an isolated incident. Records show that there have been cases of patients assaulting other patients as well as patients assaulting doctors in healthcare facilities across the state. In 2013 alone, more than 5,000 assault cases were reported at the four state psychiatric hospitals in New Jersey.

If you or someone you love has been abused or physically injured while in a hospital or nursing home, or due to a medical mistake or negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Experienced personal injury lawyer Barry Sugarman is passionate about fighting for the rights of those injured in hospitals and nursing homes. Statutes of limitations do apply. Contact Mr. Sugarman as soon as possible about your case.