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Over 70 Residents Died After the Nursing Home Failed to Adhere to COVID-19 Prevention Guidelines
Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C. has filed suit alongside Massa Butler Giglione and McMillen Urick Tocci & Jones against the Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center in Beaver County and the facility’s medical director, David G. Thimons, D.O.
In this lawsuit, our firm will fearlessly advocate for 15 residents and their families, all of whom were exposed to and diagnosed with COVID-19 (also commonly referred to as the coronavirus) during an outbreak of the fatal disease at the nursing home. Ten of these people have been subjected to an unfortunate, preventable death as a result of contracting COVID-19.
The lawsuit alleges that Brighton Rehab failed to follow government and medical industry guidelines to prevent and mitigate the spread of the coronavirus within its facility. According to Attorney Robert Peirce, state inspectors cited Brighton Rehab over its subpar health conditions on three different occasions.
“This lawsuit is not about the COVID virus,” Attorney Peirce said during a news conference at the Beaver County Common Pleas Court where the suit was filed. “It’s about what did not take place prior to the virus coming here.”
Allegations outlined in the 105-page complaint against Brighton Rehab include the following acts of negligence:
- Required action was not taken to ensure that staff followed social distancing protocols;
- Staff members were not sufficiently educated about COVID-19 prevention;
- Residents were not tested for coronavirus;
- Infected residents were not quarantined;
- Families of infected residents were not accurately and/or promptly notified of their loved one’s condition;
- Proper personal protective equipment (PPE) was not worn by staff; and
- Proper cleaning protocols were not adhered to.
According to WPXI, the National Guard was brought in and a new manager was appointed by the state to control the coronavirus outbreak at Brighton Rehab in May.
While the center has highlighted a previous lack of new positive coronavirus cases during a 3-month stint, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported two new coronavirus cases have occurred at the center in the last five weeks. Unfortunately, 334 residents at the center have tested positive for COVID-19 and no less than 82 residents have died since the onset of the global pandemic in March, according to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Attorney Robert Daley of Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C. reinforced the suit’s allegations that the tragic mishandling of COVID-19 at Brighton Rehab could have been prevented. The fact that the nursing home failed in this respect is unacceptable.
“Our three firms are dedicated to advocating for victims who are most [susceptible] to mistreatment, including the residents at Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center,” Attorney Daley stated.
Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C. is proud to stand up on behalf of the residents at Brighton Rehab. For more than 40 years, we have fought for our friends and neighbors injured by negligence in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. We have worked on thousands of cases and have built a track record of successful jury verdicts and settlements.
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If you are seeking acclaimed legal counsel, contact Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C. online.