7/31/2019 New Jersey Nursing Home Sued for Wrongful Death

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Article written by: Annie Reynolds

Annie Reynolodsis a plaintiffs attorneyin Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Annie is an

advocate for those seriously harmed by

negligent actions of others.

Sheridan & Murray L1600 Market Street, Suite 2

Philadelphia, PA 19

866-INJURIES or 866-465-8

www.SheridanAndMurray.c

personal injury law

New Jersey Nursing Home Sued for Wrongful Death

The family of a New Jersey woman killed while attempting to cross Route 22 in

Bridgewater has filed a lawsuit against the nursing care facility where she was

living at the time. In 2010, Anastasia Zavitsanos, then 74-years old, was a resident

of Brandywine Assisted Living at Middlebrook Crossing when she exited the

facility through a side door, and was struck by a vehicle. The wrongful death

lawsuit alleges the nursing home was negligent in its care for Ms. Zavitsanos,

specifically for failing to prevent her from leaving the facility.

According to the lawsuit, Ms. Zavitsanos was admitted to the facility in 2004.

Zavitsanos had been diagnosed with memory loss, schizophrenia, and psychosis

and was deemed an elopement risk with exit-seeking behaviors. Despite

being a known escape risk, Ms. Zavitsanos was able to exit the facility around 1:15

a.m. on May 12, 2010. Shortly thereafter, she was struck by a vehicle while trying

to cross a nearby roadway. She died at the scene of the collision as a result of the

severe injuries she sustained in the crash.

The lawsuit alleges that the crash occurred because the facility did not sufficiently

supervise Ms. Zavitsanos. The facilitys negligence seems particularly egregious,

in light of the fact that she was a known elopement risk. The risk of elopement is

particularly noted in patients who suffer from Alzheimers, dementia, mental

illness or memory loss. Nursing homes are expected to protect these patients to

ensure they do not escape and suffer harm.

http://www.sheridanandmurray.com/http://www.sheridanandmurray.com/

7/31/2019 New Jersey Nursing Home Sued for Wrongful Death

2/2

Article written by: Annie Reynolds

Annie Reynolodsis a plaintiffs attorneyin Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Annie is an

advocate for those seriously harmed by

negligent actions of others.

Sheridan & Murray L1600 Market Street, Suite 2

Philadelphia, PA 19

866-INJURIES or 866-465-8

www.SheridanAndMurray.c

personal injury law

Families entrust the care of their loved ones to care facilities with the expectationthey will be cared for and protected from such harm. When the facility fails to

properly care for a patient, it may be held liable for its negligent conduct or in

extreme cases, for wrongful death. If you or someone you know has suffered

injury as a result of nursing home negligence, you may want to consider

contacting a personal injury attorney to explain and protect your rights.

http://www.sheridanandmurray.com/http://www.sheridanandmurray.com/