The lawsuit states that Culbreath lived at the facility from July 12, 2012, until her demise on Jan. 21, 2015, with sporadic hospital stays. The suit alleges that she fell and sustained closed head wounds on Oct. 8, 2013, and suffered a seizure disorder due to her injuries. The lawsuit also accuses the nursing home staff of carelessness with regard to Culbreath’s fall, which resulted in severe and permanent injuries, disfigurement, disability and pain and suffering. Williams seeks damages in excess of $50,000.

Wrongful death lawsuits are frequently filed in cases arising out of abuse or neglect by nursing home staff and other situations involving elder care. Such abuse committed by nursing home workers can be willful or a result of negligence.

Those who are permitted to file wrongful death lawsuits are referred to as “real parties in interest,” and can include spouses, children of the deceased and parents of an unmarried child. Depending on the state in which you live, they can also include those who were previously economically dependent on the deceased, such as “putative spouses,” or people who thought that they were legally married to the deceased, and life partners. In addition, more distant members of the family, such as siblings or grandparents, may be allowed to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Some states even allow anyone who has suffered a financial loss to bring a wrongful death claim.

If you know someone who has suffered an avoidable death due to the willful misconduct or negligence of a person or entity, you should consult a wrongful death attorney.

Paul Greenberg is a Chicago work accidents and wrongful death lawyer with Briskman Briskman & Greenberg. To learn more call 1.877.595.4878 or visit http://www.briskmanandbriskman.com/.