Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog

Ninety-three year old Trent Lockridge was missing over eleven hours before he was actually reported missing from Dosberg Manor, an assisted living facility located on the Weinberg Campus in Getzville, New York. Mr. Lockridge moved into the facility on January 23, 2009. On February 17, 2009, Mr. Lockridge's roommate requested help in closing a window in their room. The employee noticed that the window was wide open, Mr. Lockridge's glasses were on the nightstand, and his walker was near the window, but she did not investigate as to his whereabouts nor did she tell anyone about it. When investigators first questioned her, she lied and told them she had seen Mr. Lockridge in his room around 9:40 p.m., but told a co-worker that this was not the case. Another employee performing a daily resident census went to Mr. Lockridge's room around 11:00 p.m. and found his bed empty but assumed that he had been hospitalized. This employee did not follow up or confirm it. A third employee stopped by Mr. Lockridge's room around midnight while doing rounds and noticed that he was not in his bed. Mr. Lockridge was reported missing around 6:45 a.m. on February 18 when a nurse said she couldn't find him. Interestingly, his medical records reported that staff had assisted him with taking his medications at 6:30 a.m. Mr. Lockridge was found on the ground outside the facility after either falling or jumping from the second story window. He suffered blunt-force injuries consistent with a fall and, according to police, died instantly or soon after his fall. His body had been outside at least 11 hours in freezing temperatures. The state Health Department investigation notes indicated that facility employees should have notified a supervisor when Lockridge's window was open and he appeared to be missing. Three employees have been disciplined, although neither the facility nor the Health Department will state what type of action had been taken. The facility has agreed to implement a new system for tracking residents at Dosberg Manor and train employees on the new system. The Terry Law Firm is experienced in handling cases of nursing home abuse and neglect. Please contact us at 1 (888) 317-2525 or visit our website at www.nursinghomejustice.com.