An Alzheimer's patient at Truman Healthcare died as a result of injuries suffered during an altercation with a nurse, according to a wrongful death lawsuit filed today in Barton County Circuit Court.
The petition claims that Elbert "Gerald" Jackson died June 23, 2022, while he was a resident at the skilled nursing facility.
Listed as the plaintiff in the lawsuit is Jackson's daughter, Janis Hayes, Springfield. Listed as defendants are Lamar No 1. Inc, doing business as Truman Healthcare and the nurse, Matthew Hart, Sheldon.
According to the petition, Jackson had only been staying at Truman Healthcare for six days when the incident occurred.
From the petition:
As a result of his age and his frail, defenseless and dependent condition, Gerald completely relied upon Defendant to provide for his safety, protection, care and treatment.
During his residence at {Truman Healthcare} Gerald was visited frequently by his family. When the family was able to visit, they could assess Gerald's physical well-being and advocate for Gerald if his needs were not met.
When the family was able to visit, they could monitor whether Gerald's physical condition was improving or deteriorating.
On June 19, 2022, Gerald's records state "{patient} fell backward in hallway resulting in a 3-4 centimeter laceration to back of head."
Later, family members were told by Heather Coleman, the admissions and marketing director social services for Truman Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center, the fall resulted from an altercation with one of the nurses.
The petition indicates Jackson sometimes had issues with the male staff.
Subsequent to the June 19, 2022 altercation with Hart, Gerald was taken via ambulance to Mercy Hospital, Joplin, where he was found to have an intracranial hemorrhage, small volume right parietal region subdural hematoma and multifocal areas of bilaterial cerebral hemisphere subarachnoid hemorrhage.
The lawsuit includes one count against Hart and one against Truman Healthcare.
Hayes is asking for actual damages and costs. She is represented by the Springfield law firm of Aleshire, Robb & Rapp.
2 comments:
My first thought upon reading your introduction was that a nurse at Mercy Joplin was responsible for the head injury and subsequent death. I feel it should be corrected since it was NOT the fault of Mercy Joplin.
I read it the same way.
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