Death of Autistic Child Could Lead to Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Posted on April 29, 2015 by Shapiro Law Group

The death of a 14-year-old autistic girl under the care of the Carlton Palms Educational Center has led to a settlement and potential wrongful death lawsuit. The Carlton Palms Educational Center is one of the largest residential centers in Florida for children and adults with developmental disabilities.

The Agency for Persons With Disabilities threatened to shut down Carlton Palms unless it made significant changes, such as adopting video monitoring systems. Video monitoring could help protect disabled residents who are unable to speak or cry for help.

Carlton Palms had been named in 150 abuse and neglect cases since 2000. In the most recent case, the 14-year-old autistic girl had died of dehydration only ten days after arriving at Lake County. Allegations against the center claim that the disabled girl was strapped down with restraints and ignored even though she was vomiting repeatedly. She was not taken to receive medical attention until after she had already died. Family members of the deceased girl are planning to file a wrongful death lawsuit against Carlton Palms.

The settlement reached will require Carlton Palms to pay a fine of $10,000, although a wrongful death suit could cost the center much more.

When Can Patients or Family Members Sue for Wrongful Death?

Institutions that help the sick have a legal obligation to provide an acceptable standard of care. Failing to provide for the safety of patients under your care can lead to medical malpractice or wrongful death lawsuits, as we have seen in the case with Carlton Palms.

To learn more about what options are available to patients who have been injured while under the care of a hospital or institution, please continue to explore our website. For regular updates on Shapiro Law Group, please follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

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