Jury Awards 3.2 Million Due To Death and Neglect Caused By Complications of Infected Bedsores

Written by Adam Peck Category: Elder Law January 26th, 2013 2 min read

A jury in has awarded $3.2 million to the family of an 88-year-old man who died of complications from an infected bedsore the size of a baseball.

The lawsuit was awarded against Pioneer Healthcare Center, a Rocky Ford nursing home.

The facility is owned by Grace Healthcare, a Chattanooga, Tenn. company with nursing homes in eight states and a total of 4,000 beds.

The lawsuit accused the nursing home of hiding the seriousness of the bedsores from the family.

Before the wound developed in late September 2010, the abused elder, who had Parkinson’s disease, could walk to the cafeteria with assistance.

Thereafter, he stopped eating, drinking and walking and became bed-bound and unresponsive.

In early October 2010, a nurse’s aide told the Elder’s son son about severe bedsores on the Elder’s buttocks and scrotum, which were infected and smelled badly. The employee said he was worried about getting fired but was fearful that the Elder would die so he spoke out.

When the family insisted that the Elder immediately be taken to a hospital, administrators protested, saying that he should be cared for at the nursing home, according to the lawsuit.

When the neglected and abused Elder was taken to a hospital, his doctor determined that he was also dehydrated and malnourished. Hospital doctors said the Elder’s death was linked to the bedsores.

Health Department officials later inspected the nursing home and cited the facility for 27 deficiencies after discovering many problems including widescale infections.

Share it

Questions? Check with Peck Today

Blog Lead Form

Elder Abuse and Neglect in Assisted Living Facilities

Elopement in Nursing Homes

Assisted Living Abuse

Settlement Reached in Assisted Living Facility Death

Assisted Living Abuse and Neglect Attorneys

Written by Adam Peck

Expertise: Personal Injury

Adam J. Peck, ESQ is a principal with Peck Law Group, APC. In 2008, Mr. Adam Peck received his Juris Doctorate from Whittier Law School where he graduated Cum Laude. His practice is primarily dedicated to representing Elders, Dependent Adults, along with their loved ones and family members, who have suffered horrific personal injuries.