Nursing Home Found Liable for 91-Year-Old Resident’s Death Involving Neck Fracture
A state investigation is accusing a US nursing home of being at fault in the death of a 91-year-old woman. Gladys Gall was living at the Presbyterian Homes in Arden Hills last year when she sustained a neck fracture.
Gall had advanced osteoporosis, which made her a fall risk. She needed the help of nursing staff to perform many daily tasks. She was also known to resist their help.
On April 18, 2008, she was taken to a hospital emergency room after she said she was experiencing neck and head pain. An imaging scan showed she was suffering from a neck fracture. The elderly patient, however, couldn’t remember how she sustained the injury.
When asked, nurses at the long-term care facility were unable to explain why she had what is called a hangman’s fracture. A neurosurgeon who has been helping with the investigation into Gall’s death, however, says the only way she could have sustained such a fracture was if she experienced trauma to her body. Gall died on April 28, 2008.
Also among the investigation’s findings:
• The fracture could only have been sustained during a fall accident or another violent incident.
• Even if Gall fell by herself, someone would have had to help her get up, which means that someone knows what happened to her but is refusing to tell investigators.
• The nursing home was at fault in the elderly patient's death because she sustained a serious injury while at the facility.
Presbyterian Homes in Arden Hills did not receive a citation for violating any federal or state nursing care standards because it conducted a complete investigation into Gall’s death and trained workers again so that they are now required to report fall accidents and other incidents.
Neck Fracture
A neck fracture usually involves at least one break in a person’s cervical bones. This is a serious fracture than requires immediate medical attention. It can result in paralysis or death.
Certain factors can put a person at higher risk of sustaining a neck fracture, including:
• Age
• Osteoporosis
• A decrease in muscle mass
• Head injury
• Another kind of traumatic injury
Nursing home abuse and neglect can seriously harm a resident and cause his or her health to rapidly deteriorate. US nursing homes are required to provide patients with a certain standard of care and they can held liable for personal injury or wrongful death if they fail to do so.
Arden Hills nursing home found at fault in death of woman, 91, with neck fracture,
Twin Cities, February 14, 2009
Neck Fracture, Aurora Health Care
Related Web Resources:
Elder Abuse, Helpguide.org
Nursing Home Abuse Overview, Justia
In Illinois, if you believe your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse, please contact the Law Offices of Steven J Malman & Associates, PC and request your free consultation with one of our experienced Chicago nursing home abuse lawyers.
