A class action is being considered against Anglicare after 19 people died at its Newmarch House nursing home in Sydney in one of the country's deadliest coronavirus outbreaks.
Shine Lawyers national practice leader Lisa Flynn said the class actions law firm will allege the aged care provider was negligent in its handling of the health crisis and breached its duty of care to residents.
"Anglicare was ill-equipped to handle the outbreak of coronavirus at the facility and we will be seeking compensation on behalf of the families of the deceased," Ms Flynn said.
"This virus was brought into the nursing home by a staff member who was sick and should not have presented to work on multiple occasions while exhibiting symptoms."
A total of 37 residents and 34 staff caught the COVID-19 virus at the western Sydney facility. Nineteen residents died.
"Grieving relatives want to know why their loved ones weren't immediately taken to hospital after testing positive so they could receive the high-level clinical care they needed," Ms Flynn said.
"They also want to know why they were kept in the dark as coronavirus spread through the facility and why staff were either not qualified or not properly supported to make critical decisions."
Ms Flynn said all direct family members related to a person who died as a result of the outbreak could be eligible to join a class action.
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