Pennsylvania Nursing Home Wrongful Death Suit Goes to Trial
Olive Shaffer moved to Harmon House on April 30, 2003, to continue her recovery from a broken pelvis she suffered in a fall at home. In June, while at the facility, she fell several times and her family alleges that facility staff made insufficient efforts to prevent her from falling. On July 15, 2003, Ms. Shaffer fell twice more, causing catastrophic injuries, including brain swelling. She died on July 22, 2003 from injuries sustained in those falls.
Ms. Shaffer's family is alleging inadequate care led to Ms. Shaffer's death. The family is also accusing facility workers of falsifying records and violating internal policies.
Attorneys for the facility justified their actions by stating "Ninety year old women fall. Things happen, falls happen. Falls are not preventable. The only way to prevent it is to tie them up and the law doesn't allow that."
The trial is expected to last approximately eight days.
