Lexington Medical Center Extended Care has lost the legal battle in a nursing home wrongful death lawsuit filed by a family alleging the nursing home staff’s negligence had caused the death of their loved one.

The nursing home wrongful death lawsuit alleged gross negligence against the Lexington Medical Center staff, claiming staff neglect had resulted in the death of a resident.

The family of resident Samuel C. were awarded $450,000 from the jury presiding over the case. The award consists of $200,000 for Samuel’s pain and suffering, medical expenses, and funeral expenses, along with an additional $250,000 for the emotional damages the family suffered.

According to the nursing home wrongful death lawsuit, Samuel had suffered a number of serious injuries and resided in deplorable living conditions in the nursing home. One of these injuries resulted in Samuel requiring hip replacement surgery, due to sustaining a fall in the facility.

The hip replacement system surgery was conducted at the Lexington Medical Center, which operates the nursing home. The deplorable living conditions alleged in the nursing home wrongful death lawsuit resulted in bed sores and residents regularly soaked in urine, along with not being properly fed.

Samuel had also reportedly developed pneumonia that was not discovered until a latent stage. Eventually, on July 1, 2015 Samuel had been admitted to Lexington Medical Center for multiple medical problems including malnutrition, skin breakdown, dehydration, and infections.

Samuel later died from his worsening medical condition at Agape Hospice House, leaving his family to file legal action on his behalf.

Overview of Nursing Home Neglect Allegations

According to the nursing home wrongful death lawsuit, Samuel had been admitted to the Lexington Medical Center on April 29, 2013, due to dementia and was legally blind. Samuel’s family had suspected nursing home neglect from at least several visits, in which they found him covered in urine and showed signs of insufficient oral care.

Lexington Medical Center records state that Samuel had fallen 26 times, with staff finding him on the floor 19 times without staff knowing. On another occasion, Samuel was reportedly found on the outside of the building with multiple ant bites.

Even with these serious nursing home neglect allegations, Lexington Medical Center maintains that their staff committed no wrongdoing and that the facility “strives every day to meet the healthcare needs of our community, and as such, we do not agree with the allegations made in this case.”

The nursing home further stated that they were considered “[privileged] to take care of our residents and always work to provide the best care possible.” The nursing home wrongful death lawsuit alleges otherwise, with Samuel’s family alleging the facility’s gross negligence ultimately contributed to their loved one’s death.

Nursing home neglect is one of the most significant socioeconomic problems in the United States, with as many as five million elderly residents suffering from some form of abuse or neglect. However it has been estimated that approximately 84% of these cases were not reported, due to the victims being unable to do so.