Professional Negligence Law Reporter

After suffering fractures, Doe was transferred to Roe nursing home. Her physician’s orders instructed nurses to regularly assess the skin around her cast to detect skin breakdowns, swelling, and changes in color. Nurses also were to cleanse and apply treatment to Doe’s leg ulcer daily. Within two weeks, Doe was returned to the hospital, where she was diagnosed as having a gangrenous wound and maggots crawling out of her cast. She required amputation of her right leg.

Doe sued the nursing home, alleging it had failed to comply with her physician’s orders and provide wound care. The defense countered that Doe’s extreme obesity and uncontrolled diabetes made amputation likely even absent the home’s wrongdoing.

The parties settled for $500,000.

Citation: Doe v. Roe, Confidential Dkt. No. (Cal. Super. Ct. Los Angeles Cnty. Mar. 13, 2023).

Plaintiff counsel: Benjamin T. Ikuta and Michelle B. Hemesath, both of Santa Ana, Calif.