California Nursing Home Faces Second Abuse Lawsuit
November 3, 2008
The Villa Valencia, a nursing home based in Laguna Hills, California, is facing its second abuse lawsuit within three years following the death of Theresa Sperry, a 91-year old woman who suffered from Alzheimer's and painful pressure ulcers on her feet.
Sperry's family is suing the Sunrise Senior Living Corporation, which owns the Villa Valencia and nearly 450 other nursing homes in the U.S., Canada and throughout Europe. According to this nursing home abuse lawsuit, negligence and the facility's focus on profit, not people, were responsible for Sperry's death.
Details of Sperry's Death
In January 2007, Sperry was sent to the Villa Valencia after undergoing various hospital treatments for her Alzheimer's disease. At the Villa Valencia, Sperry was to spend time regaining her strength while she received treatment for sores she had developed on her leg.
Despite the fact that she was staying in the facility's "skilled nursing unit," Sperry's leg sores were improperly treated and ultimately developed into pressure ulcers on both of her feet.
What are Pressure Ulcers?
Pressure ulcers are painful bedsores that develop due to constant pressure and lack of movement. Although pressure ulcers are common ailments among nursing home patients, they are highly preventable, as moisturizing skin, eating properly and placing the body in the appropriate positions can prevent pressure ulcers.
However, if left untreated, pressure ulcers can cause severe health problems, including:
• gangrene
• scar carcinoma (a type of cancer)
• sepsis (a highly fatal blood infection)
• other severe infections.
Each year, about 60,000 people die as a result of pressure ulcers.
Although Sperry's family transferred Sperry to a different facility after a week at the Villa Valencia, by that time, it was too late, as Sperry died shortly thereafter due to complications from her pressure ulcers.The damages Sperry's family is seeking from this lawsuit, which is already underway, haven't been publicly announced.
(Source: The Orange County Register)
Do you know someone victimized by nursing home abuse? If so, contact us today for legal advice and resources that will help the victim recover much deserved and needed compensation.
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