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Nursing Home Horror

 We have represented many elderly clients over the years for mishaps in nursing homes.  These have included falls from beds and wheelchairs, medication errors, physical or mental abuse and neglect.  One of the saddest cases involved an 85 year old client whose bedsores were so severe that the emergency room doctor wanted to bring criminal charges against the family because he thought the woman had been living at home rather than at a nursing home facility.

 Our client, Mrs. Jones (a fictitious name), was doing well at a Chester County nursing home until she fell one day and broke her leg.  As a result, she became wheelchair bound.  After a few months, she began to develop Stage I decubitus ulcers on her buttocks and heel.  Instead of giving the medical treatment including ointments, cushions and the proper type of mattress, the nursing home ignored Mrs. Jones’ condition.  When the sores worsened, they called in an outside wound treatment company, but they only permitted them to come once a week to care for Mrs. Jones.  By the time she was taken to the emergency room, the sores had become grossly infected and foul smelling.  We immediately took photographs and a video, which showed that the Stage IV ulcer was down to the spine with floating pieces of  bone.  Mrs. Jones died three weeks after she was admitted to the hospital.

 After we obtained  the nursing home records which revealed the lack of care, and an expert report from a leading nursing home care physician, we attempted to settle the case.  Not only did we present the video and  photographs, but we also produced  3’ x 6’ exhibits showing artist renditions of the wounds. 

 We were able to obtain a large settlement without the need of filing a lawsuit.  More importantly, we learned after this case the nursing home had been sold to a new owner who immediately put money into the facility and updated the medical and nursing care to their residents. 

 If you have a family member or friend who resides in a nursing home or long-term care facility, it is important that you check the condition of their skin on a regular basis.  This may be difficult if the wound is in an area of the body that is hidden by clothing but must be done.  You should review their condition periodically with the nurses to make sure that any bedsores are treated immediately and in the proper manner. 

 Stephen M. Karp, Esquire