Wisconsin Nursing Home Sued for Wrongful Death
May 8 , 2007
A Wisconsin nursing home is being sued for the wrongful death of a patient who died several weeks after a serious fall.
Dorismae Burgardt, 81, suffered a fall in 2005 while a nursing assistant was giving her a shower. The lawsuit filed on her behalf accuses the assistant of failing to use proper technique and neglecting to properly report the incident.
According to the lawsuit, the nursing assistant did not use the required belt during the shower and also did not have another employee there to assist her. The complaint additionally states that the assistant informed a licensed practical nurse of the fall but they failed to document it in Burgardt’s chart and notify a physician or registered nurse.
Three weeks after the fall, Burgardt died. Medical records showed she had broken bones in both legs, which medical professionals tried to treat with splints. However, the splints needed to be removed because of swelling and her health started to decline.
“Dorismae had a strong mind but a weak body. She needed assistance to move. It is insulting and a form of elder abuse to deny that she was dropped and fail to get her the care that could have saved her life,” said Jay Urban, attorney for Burgardt’s estate.
Defendants in the lawsuit include Menomonee Falls Health Care Center and Extendicare Health Services Inc.
(Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
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