The plaintiff’s decedent, age 100, had been a resident at a Residential Care Facility since October 1997 and developed pressure sores. The defendant, a Home Health Care Service, was hired to treat the pressure sores. The plaintiff claimed that the Home Health Care Service failed to properly treat the sores and that the decedent’s physician failed to transfer her to a full nursing care facility. The plaintiff also claimed that the defendants failed to inform the decedent’s family of her deteriorating condition.

The woman died from urosepsis related to a urinary tract infection in February 2004. The physician claimed that the family was aware of the decedent’s condition because staff at the facility had discussed the issue with them. The physician also claimed that the decedent had been healing and progressing properly. The physician also claimed that the decedent had dementia and that she would have deteriorated more quickly if she were removed to another facility. The Home Health Care Service and the Residential Care Facility argued that the decedent received appropriate care.

According to a published account a defense verdict was returned.

With permission from Medical Malpractice Verdicts, Settlements & Experts; Lewis Laska, Editor, 901 Church St., Nashville, TN 37203-3411, 1-800-298-6288.