NURSING FACILITY LIABILITY

Plaintiff, a woman in her late 60s with numerous charted systemic medical conditions, was transferred from a hospital to a skilled nursing facility (SNF) for rehab while recovering from MVA incurred injuries. The transfer documents failed to accurately and completely identify the medical issues pertinent to her required care. Ultimately, the records were transferred but the SNF staff failed to timely identify the need to mobilize the plaintiff’s lower extremities, resulting in deep painful bed sores on the heels and buttocks, requiring a partial heel amputation. The SNF pointed liability towards the transferring hospital for failing to alert the SNF staff of plaintiff’s needs; the hospital argued that the SNF failed to effectively communicate with the hospital and failed to fully inquire of the hospital about plaintiff’s needs when they didn’t initially receive the documents from the hospital; and the doctor claimed no responsibility because no discharge orders had been presented for his signature and he had no knowledge that the patient was going to be transferred.

Plaintiff, a dependent adult with multiple systemic medical problems, including diabetes, was recovering from ankle fracture surgery at a skilled nursing facility. In response to Plaintiff’s complaint of cramps and being cold, the nursing staff placed a heated towel on client’s lower extremities. Client’s diabetes prevented her from feeling the intensity of the heat. Plaintiff was severely burned requiring multiple skin graphs. The nursing staff allegedly violated the internal policies of the skilled nursing facility and the standard of care, and failed to report the incident. The cased resolved at mediation.

Plaintiff’s parent was an Alzheimer’s/Dementia patient who had a history of “walking” away. Shortly after moving in, the decedent entered the elevator, descended to the parking level, and exited a broken, unsecured parking area walking about two miles onto the freeway, where he was hit by a motorist and killed. Plaintiff alleged that the Defendant nursing facility did not provide a safe and secure environment as promised both in literature and direct conferences with the family. The case settled at Mediation.