New York City Settles Lawsuit With Family Of Woman Left To Die On Floor
New York City will pay a $2 million settlement to the family of Esmin Green, a woman who collapsed on the floor of a Brooklyn psychiatric emergency room last year, and died over an hour later, the New York Times reports. In an episode recorded by hospital security cameras, staff members of the city-run Kings County Hospital walked by Green, who was 49, repeatedly, but did not attempt to help her.
An investigation into the hospital by city officials found a pattern of neglect, and attempts to cover it up. Counsel for the plaintiffs in the wrongful-death suit said, "In no way does this settlement affect that investigation, and the family remains adamant in its demands that anyone who committed a criminal act with regard to the death of Esmin Green or the attempt to cover it up be prosecuted criminally to the full extent of the law."
The hospital system said it has undertaken a numerous of reforms, including the addition of more than 200 clinicians, including doctors and social workers, to its staff, and attempted to reduce emergency room crowds (Chan, 5/27).
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