Washington Nursing Home Sued After Resident's Genitals Disintegrate - UPDATE
We discussed Everett Rehabilitation and Care Center and its reportedly poor care of a ninety-seven year old man in a previous blog. Now, the owner of Everett Rehabilitation and Care Center has agreed to pay $3.5 million to settle a lawsuit filed by the man's family.
The resident entered the nursing home facility in 2004 to be with his wife. While she died shortly thereafter, he decided to continue living at the facility.
On November 7, 2007, a facility nurse found and reported a wound on the man's penis to the facility's residential care manager. That manager left for a three week vacation and forgot about the nurse's report upon her return. The manager said that she didn't hear anything more about the wound until March 14, 2008 after a doctor at the hospital called to report that the man's penis had disintegrated and that he had a terrible wound left. The man died on March 31, 2008.
According to the attorney for the victim's family, no one facility employee was to blame for man's poor care. The corporate decided to open two new specialty units at the facility and cut back on CNAs, the individuals reponsible for changing diapers and bathing residents. According to the attorney, "The place was woefully understaffed. That's why this occurred."
According to the facility's administrator, Elizabeth Loyet, "Settling the lawsuit is in the best interest of all parties in order to bring the matter to resolution."
If you have a loved one in a nursing home facility, the Terry Law Firm recommends that you frequently examine your loved one for unexplained bruising, cuts, scratches, or other injuries. Show the nursing supervisor on duty any injuries found and make sure that you note the date when you found the injury. Don't forget to follow up with nursing staff to make sure your loved one receives the appropriate necessary treatment.
