Virginia Nursing Home Faces $32.5 Million Wrongful Death Lawsuit
On March 21, 2008, eighty-four year old Lorina Wiggins had lived at Ruxton Health skilled nursing facility for approximately one year. That day, Ms. Wiggins was transported to Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center for treatment of infected sores on her body. She passed away on March 28, 2008.
A wrongful death lawsuit filed by her son, Bob Wiggins, alleges that an infected sore on Ms. Wiggins' left ankle that was diagnosed on December 27, 2007 led to her March 28, 2008 death. The wound was so deep that Ms. Wiggins' bone was exposed. The wound was one of seven wounds she developed between August 6, 2007 and February 25, 2008. Ms. Wiggins was a high-risk for sores and required repositioning every two hours to prevent wounds from forming.
Additionally, the lawsuit alleges that Bob Wiggins was not informed about the infected wound or other wounds between January and March 2008. Reportedly, Mr. Wiggins was told by staff members that his mother was "doing fine" and had "no problems" when he called the facility for updates.
Ruxton Health has had two other lawsuits filed against them in one year, as well as twenty-eight complaints of patient neglect between January 2006 and April 2008.
A wrongful death case was filed on behalf of Lillian Funn after her 2008 death from multiple bedsores. The case settled in April 2009.
Earlier this year, in August, another wrongful death lawsuit was filed on behalf of Roper Houston, who died in 2007. Mr. Houston, who suffered from mental retardation, was taken to a hospital for assessment after blood was found in his urine. Facility staff neglected to advise the hospital that Mr. Houston fell out of bed and struck his head. That case is still pending.
The Terry Law Firm is experienced in handling cases of nursing home abuse and neglect across the country. Please contact us with any questions or concerns at (888) 317-2525 or visit us on our website at www.nursinghomejustice.com.
