Family of NJ man found frozen to death suing rehabilitation facility in Teaneck
TEANECK, New Jersey (WABC) -- The family of a Hackensack man who died of hypothermia after he was found outside the rehabilitation center where he was staying is suing the facility.
Exactly a year ago 61-year-old George Foster suffered a stroke while living at the Teaneck Nursing Center.
He was last seen inside the facility on the night of February 14, 2022.
Early the next morning staff found him on an outside patio unresponsive.
It was 15 degrees outside, according to the family's attorney.
"I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy," said Foster's daughter Sabria Dickerson.
Foster was later pronounced dead. The cause of death was ruled hypothermia.
Sabria Dickerson, Foster's daughter, is suing the facility "in an effort to raise awareness about family members staying vigilant regarding the safety and security of loved ones residing in rehabilitation centers and assisted-living facilities," her lawyers said.
This was entirely preventable, according to his daughter's attorneys, who even pointed to notes in the court complaint, written by workers who wrote that Foster was "not seen."
"My dad was a very good man he wanted to live," Dickerson said. "He didn't think he was going to die. We definitely want change. We want this on the record so that this doesn't continue."
There was a note for midnight and 4:00 a.m. at the Teaneck Nursing Center, which is now called Family of Caring.
Eyewitness News reached out to the nursing home for a reaction to the lawsuit but received no response.
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