Man files wrongful death lawsuit against nursing home
February 20th, 2009 by Jennifer Walker-Journey
Robert Townsend of Ellington, Connecticut, tried to convince the governor, several lawmakers and state health investigators that there were suspicious circumstances surrounding his mother’s death. When his complaints fell deaf ears, he decided to take matters into his own hands, filing a lawsuit against the nursing home he says contributed to her death, according to the Journal Inquirer.
Robert’s 80-year-old mother, Emily Townsend, was a resident at Kettle Brook Care Center, a nursing home owned by iCare Management when she fell from her bed last January and was hospitalized. She returned to the nursing home but suffered a second, more serious fall that caused a break in her hip. She was once again hospitalized and died three days later. Robert’s lawsuit contends that the home was negligent in its care of his mother and contributed to her wrongful death.
Robert reportedly had complained to authorities both before and after his mother’s initial fall. He claimed that the nursing home staff had removed a bed alarm, a personal alarm and a walker – items ordered by her doctor.
Robert learned that while his mother was at the nursing home, it was operating under an unpublicized consent order from the Connecticut Department of Public Health. That consent was given after the home was reprimanded and fined $25,000 and was put on probation for two years after a survey found the home had seriously jeopardized the health, safety and welfare of residents there. The original order would have prohibited the home from admitting new residents. The consent allowed the nursing home to continue operating but hire an independent physician as a medical consultant and an independent nurse consultant. Other actions were also required such as setting a minimum staff ratio and complying with various quality measures to prevent accidents.
Robert’s suit seeks an unspecified amount of damages.