Nursing Home Neglect: Second Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed Against Group Home Alleges Inadequate Supervision Led to Men Being Left to Die in More than 90 Degree Heat
A second wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against the Angel Arms Family Group Home related to the deaths last June of two men that were staying at the care facility. The two men that died were 42-year-old Thomas Calhoun and his roommate John Jones, 79.
The plaintiffs contend that both men, who were roommates and suffering from mental illnesses, were left unsupervised for a considerable length of time in extremely hot weather. As a result of being left unattended in more than 90-degree heat, they both died. Jones’s body temperature was reportedly 105 degrees when he was found unconscious.
According to the coroner, both men were takings medication that made them vulnerable to heat. The group’s home director, Pam Shay, says that air conditioning was too costly, so instead, the windows were kept open to let air into the home. She also had planned to purchase fans. The state has taken away her license.
Calhoun’s family filed their wrongful death complaint this week. Jones’s family filed their nursing home neglect complaint last December.
According to findings from a January 2008 inspection of the group home, the facility had committed 29 violations, which included failure to adequately train staff—one worker wasn’t trained and the other worker had only undergone four hours of training over the past year—and the failure to provide a healthy and clean environment. State officials noted dirty dishes in the sink, food stains on the carpets, missing ceramic tiles in the kitchen, piles of rugs in the laundry room that were considered a fire hazard, cobwebs, and beds with soiled sheets. In May 2008, officials that conducted a follow-up investigation found that the violations had been corrected.
2nd wrongful death suit filed against group home, WTOL11.com, June 9,2009
State reveals South Toledo group home had 29 violations, Toledo Blade, June 19, 2008
Related Web Resource:
Heat Stroke Can Sneak Up and Kill, CNN, July 28, 1999
