The Covid-19 pandemic has taken a terrible toll on residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities nationwide. Federal and state regulators have bungled their response, failing to safeguard residents. Governors and other political leaders have been mostly silent as the deaths mount. Families who have lost loved ones in these death traps want answers.

How can nursing-home owners and operators be held accountable for abusive, negligent, and even criminal behaviors that exposed hundreds of thousands of individuals in institutions to infection and killed tens of thousands of them, as well as health care workers and first responders?

The civil justice system is one option. Families can file wrongful death lawsuits, get records, take depositions and get to the bottom of what happened. But this path is not for everyone. It's complicated and takes a long time. In this newsletter, we give some guidance about what families need to consider. One caveat: If you want legal advice about a specific case, please consult an attorney in your area. Our newsletter has good information but is no substitute for a personal consultation with a professional.