As the COVID-19 situation in New York escalated, Governor Andrew Cuomo was quickly heralded by New Yorkers as the hero of the pandemic. He was consistently portrayed as a source of accurate, reliable information and valiant public servant, working tirelessly to prevent New Yorkers from dying from the virus. As a result, the governor received many awards for his work and even wrote a book, describing his strategies for helping New York through the pandemic.
However, Cuomo’s star status was short-lived, as questions soon started to arise about an order issued by the state that could potentially place nursing home patients at a higher risk for contracting COVID-19. The harsh criticism of this state order was followed by an additional scandal that involved the state failing to reveal to federal and state legislators the accurate number of deaths that occurred in nursing homes and hospitals. The combination of these and other events has led many New Yorkers to call for Cuomo’s resignation.
Attorney John Dalli Weighs in on What Happened in Nursing Homes During the Pandemic
John Dalli is one of the founding members of Dalli & Marino, a New York–based law firm that specializes in cases involving negligence at nursing homes and other medical facilities. He was recently interviewed by Yossi Krausz to weigh in on some potential factors that contributed to the scandals of the Cuomo administration and whether there will be any legal repercussions.
One of the biggest takeaways from the interview was Dalli’s discussion of New York’s immunity laws, which essentially prevent the families of COVID victims from taking any legal action against nursing home facilities. While a case could be made if the family could prove recklessness, New York has a very high bar for this behavior, making it unlikely to be successful in court. Dalli pointed out that some neighboring states, like Connecticut, have repealed immunity provisions that prevent accountability on the part of nursing homes, recognizing how they contribute to more deaths and injuries.
Dalli also encouraged the media to explore the financial connection between Cuomo and the nursing home industry in New York, noting that his administration, along with the Democratic Party, received over $2 million in campaign contributions from healthcare associations in 2018. Given the fact that Cuomo allowed the New York State Health Care Association to draft the first write-up of the immunity bill, this political connection is something that should be further looked into.
Call an Expert Nursing Home Coronavirus Exposure Lawyer in New York City
During these hard and trying times, it is essential for the public to be able to trust their elected officials with pandemic-related information. Additionally, it’s essential for nursing homes to take every possible precaution to protect their residents, caretakers, and employees from being exposed to or contracting COVID-19. Unfortunately, many nursing homes have neglected the wellbeing of their vulnerable charges.
If you suspect your loved ones have suffered neglect during the coronavirus pandemic, the attorneys at Dalli & Marino are here to help. Our seasoned New York attorneys have been aggressively advocating for victims of nursing abuse since 1996. Give us a call at (888) 465-8790 or complete our contact form today.
