Severe Dehydration And Bone Deep Pressure Ulcers Kill Nursing Home Resident

Austin, TX (Law Firm Newswire) October 24, 2013 – This Texas nursing home case involved the death of a man due to untreated pressure ulcers.

“This reported case shocked many. An elderly Texan developed severely infected pressure sores and became dangerously dehydrated, despite being in care at the Gulf Health Care Center – Port Arthur. What was even more disturbing is that he developed them, and died, in a period of less than two months in care,” outlined Brooks Schuelke, an Austin injury lawyer with Perlmutter & Schuelke, LLP.

The nursing home abuse lawsuit statement of claim revealed that just barely two weeks after the man was admitted, a wound assessment discovered a Stage III sacral pressure ulcer, beginning to slough, presenting with necrotic tissue and beginning to smell rank. The wound was checked again a week later and the amount of dying tissue was multiplying rapidly. It was rated as a black wound, or eschar, because it was covered with thick, black, dead tissue.

“The man was admitted to the Medical Center of Southeast Texas in April of 2012. His medical workup indicated a life-threatening sodium imbalance and a urinary tract infection. Medical personnel suggested he was not getting enough water,” Schuelke added. Although the man was successfully stabilized, he was taken back to the hospital again a week after being returned to the care home. On his second admission he had a high fever, pneumonia, pus filed pressure sores and foul smelling drainage. He had severe infection.

Once again, he was returned to the nursing home but ended up being taken to the emergency room at the same hospital a few days later. Doctors stated he was severely dehydrated, suffered from malnutrition and had sepsis. The family and medical staff discussed his options, and he was transferred to a hospice for final care. He died on May 22, 2012.

The wrongful death, nursing home abuse lawsuit filed stated the man had suffered emotional distress, mental anguish, and pain and suffering during his ordeal. His medical bills were astronomical. The suit further stated the family had lost the man’s companionship, consortium and society, lost their inheritance and had to pay funeral and burial costs. “They suggested that due to the negligence of the nursing home in preventing him from developing ulcers and in not caring for them properly when they had developed, they caused his death,” said Schuelke. The plaintiffs in this case are seeking punitive and exemplary damages, actual, special and general damages, and any other relief that the court deems is just in relation to the man’s death.

“If you are dealing with a situation such as this one, talk to me. You need to know what course of action you make take to ensure justice is done,” Schuelke suggested.

Learn more at http://www.civtrial.com