Nursing home failed to tend to bedsore – $375,000 Settlement

Doe was a patient in a nursing home for rehabilitation after suffering a hip fracture. She had a prior sacral pressure injury that healed, but placed her at high risk for further skin breakdown in that area. On Sept. 15, 2016, she had a small sacral pressure wound the size of a pinpoint. On Sept. 29, 2016, the sacral pressure wound had deteriorated and was now a Stage III. A wound care physician performed a debridement procedure. Doe’s physician ordered Dakin’s moist gauze to be added to her wound care, but this treatment was never implemented by the nursing home. By October 2016 the sacral wound had deteriorated to a Stage IV and had become infected. She subsequently died from this bedsore. The evidence showed that there were no nursing home interventions and no evidence of turning and repositioning her in her bed from Sept. 15, 2016, to Sept. 29, 2016, resulting in the wound’s quickly deteriorating.

Type of action: Wrongful Death

Injuries alleged: Death

Name of case: Doe v. Woe Nursing Home

Date resolved: Nov. 15, 2018

Special damages: $49,000.00

Verdict or settlement: Settlement

Amount: $375,000.00

Attorney for plaintiff: Carlton F. Bennett, Virginia Beach