Drug overdose deaths have soared during the pandemic. Recent data from the Center for Disease Control (“CDC”) estimates that there were 100,306 drug overdose deaths in the United States during the twelve-month period that ended in April 2021. This same data also confirmed that overdose deaths from opioids increased from 56,064 to 75,673 during this same period.
The purpose of drug addiction treatment centers, such as sober houses and detoxification centers, is to provide a safe recovery environment where addicts can obtain the medical help that that they need to turn the page on their addiction history.
Unfortunately, however, many of these facilities are motivated more by profit than a desire to provide quality and compassionate care. A peer-reviewed study recently published by Health Affairs concluded that a startling number of for-profit rehab programs charge exorbitant up-front fees for admission, and employ deceptive sales practices to secure patients without determining the patient’s actual medical needs. With financial greed being the primary motivating factor behind these facilities’ operation, the care provided at such facilities has suffered, which has resulted in far too many patient deaths that could have been prevented.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported that in 2015, 1.4 million people sought treatment for alcohol and drug addiction at inpatient, outpatient and residential treatment programs. In this same year, 3,362 people died at these facilities.
Holding Drug Treatment Centers Accountable
A medical malpractice/wrongful death lawsuit can be brought against a drug treatment center that fails to take the appropriate steps to keep a patient safe. Some of these steps include:
- Performing an exam before admitting the patient to make sure that the patient is not suffering from medical issues that requires immediate hospitalization;
- Consistent monitoring of the patient, and regularly checking the patient’s vital signs;
- Transferring a patient to the hospital at the first sign of medical distress;
- Making sure that drugs are not brought into the facility by the patient.
When one or more of these steps is not taken and a patient dies as a result, the treatment facility can he held legally responsible for the negligent acts of its employees.
Under these circumstances, a family member of the deceased may then bring a medical malpractice/wrongful death lawsuit against the facility and its employees and recover damages for items such as: funeral and burial expenses, loss of income and benefits, loss of companionship, comfort and guidance, and emotional pain and suffering.
At the Magna Law Firm, we have significant experience handling these types of cases. If you have a loved one who died at a drug treatment center and you suspect negligence on the part of the treatment facility, please contact our law firm so that we can talk with you about the appropriate legal steps that need to be taken.
