Bakersfield rehab clinics are required to monitor patients at all times and catch the signs of a fentanyl overdose. They are required to call 911 immediately. The staff should administer a dose of Naloxone as soon as possible, and subsequent doses as needed. Other life-saving measures can be necessary in some cases.
A negligent fentanyl rehab facility can fail to keep a patient from gaining access to a drug. They can also fail to act properly to stop an overdose. These acts of negligence can leave the owners fully liable for a victim’s injuries and a family’s suffering in the case of a fatal overdose.
Families can seek support on behalf of loved ones, but they may find it difficult to take on a large company or corporation themselves, especially at such a difficult time. A lawyer’s help may provide an advantage for victims and their families and help them win more in compensation. Contact Maison Law Accident and Injury Lawyers of Bakersfield to find out how.
The Drug Rehab Facilities Duty After a Fentanyl Overdose
The prompt detection of an overdose, alerting other staff members, and notifying emergency responders would be the first actions staff members should take.
Doctors, nurses, counselors, and others will all have facility guidelines to follow and directives from the State of California.
- Calling 911 to get paramedics on the way
- Administering Narcan (the brand name for Naloxone) as soon as possible and as many times as necessary.
- In some cases, providing rescue breathing and other basic life support.
- Putting an unconscious patient in the “recovery position” so they can’t choke on vomit.
- Never leaving an overdose patient alone until EMTs take over the care of the victim
- Notifying family members of what happened as soon as possible
- Local authorities like Bakersfield police and the Kern County Sheriff’s Department are alerted, especially because an illegal drug was involved, meaning criminal activity in some form.
- Notification sent to the California Department of Health Care Services. A first initial notification ASAP if a death or a serious injury is involved. Then a written report is required within a couple of days.
- The facility will conduct an internal investigation.
Speed and training are critical in any emergency involving an opioid as powerful as fentanyl. When facilities fail to do everything possible to prevent long-term consequences or the death of an overdose patient, they can be questioned and held accountable for what happened. There are many actions to take to protect patients who have overdosed, and all options should be considered.
If you have the proper evidence, the facts can make it hard for a substance abuse facility to deny responsibility in a tragic overdose. The proof can include the results of an investigation into how the patient gained access to fentanyl in the first place.
Findings showing that a nurse, staff member, or another patient provided the harmful substance can force a facility to provide even more support for recovering victims or grieving families. A security breach that allowed someone into the premises with drugs would also be hard for the owners and operators to explain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can a drug overdose claim earn for victims?
Victims can receive reimbursement for all past and future doctor bills related to an overdose recovery. Victims may secure support for the loss of income they suffer while they are away from their jobs. A skilled attorney would demand support for the pain and emotional trauma they are left with. Families may also get a full refund on the treatment and services that weren’t provided by a negligent care facility.
Can families ask for support if a loved one dies from an overdose while at a drug rehab clinic?
Yes, families dealing with such a tragedy can seek justice by filing a wrongful death claim. This claim would ask for support to pay burial costs and to cover any leftover medical expenses. Close relatives should also demand the replacement of any income the victim has earned to support the family and would have continued to provide in the future. A skilled Bakersfield wrongful death lawyer would also seek support for the family based on the love and guidance they’d lost in the years ahead.
How long can victims wait to file a claim over an overdose injury at a drug rehab facility?
Victims have two years to file a claim against a drug overdose facility. Family members can file this claim on behalf of loved ones if they aren’t able to file for themselves. Families must also file a wrongful death claim within two years after losing a loved one to an overdose. It’s always best to explore options as soon after a serious overdose as possible. Evidence can become harder to secure, and witnesses can become more difficult to track down.
Contact a Bakersfield Rehab Facility Overdose Attorney
After an overdose, all families can turn to our Bakersfield Rehab Facility Overdose Lawyers for an absolutely free case consultation. It’s a chance to determine your next steps and what’s best for the victim. This meeting with a real lawyer comes with no pressure and is always confidential.
Please don’t worry about how your family can afford to pay a lawyer. If you need Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, we’re there for you. We don’t charge anything up front and don’t get paid at all unless we win your case for you and your family. If we do win the case, our attorney’s fee is paid from the settlement check the drug facility’s insurer must write for you.