The loss of a loved one is often difficult to accept. Yet, people learn to accept the loss over time and move on. However, if someone else’s negligence is the cause of a loved one’s death, especially in a healthcare facility, accepting it can be next to impossible. Thankfully, laws in the Connecticut acknowledge that and permit survivors of victims to seek legal recourse by means of a wrongful death lawsuit.

One event that has grabbed national headlines surrounds the death of actress, producer, comedienne and television host Joan Rivers. Rivers passed away at a New York City clinic under questionable circumstances a few months ago. Her daughter, Melissa Rivers recently filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against that clinic, blaming it for her mother’s death. The lawsuit claims that the negligence of the clinic and five of its doctors resulted in the 81-year-old’s death.

According to news reports, the medical malpractice lawsuit states that the doctors at the clinic were inadequately trained and that they performed certain medical procedures to which Joan Rivers had not consented. The lawsuit also claims it was during the unconsented procedure that Joan Rivers experienced complications and eventually died. Joan Rivers first fell into a coma and subsequently died of heart attack and brain damage.

Interestingly, earlier this year a government agency, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, cited the clinic for non-compliance with standard protocol during Joan Rivers’ treatment. Some of the citations from this report are also a part of the lawsuit filed by Melissa Rivers. The CMMS asked the clinic to amend the deficiencies mentioned in the citation by March 2015 or lose its license and funding.

The loss of a loved one in circumstances such as this is unwarranted. Therefore, in the event of such situations, people should remember their right to corrective action. If they need an understanding of how the legal system works in relation to medical malpractice claims, they may consider speaking with a lawyer.

Source: MedicalDaily.com, “New York clinic that treated comic Joan Rivers sued over her death,” Jan. 27, 2015