Professional Negligence Law Reporter

English v. Western Health Res., No. BCV-15-101671 (Cal. Super. Ct. Kern Cnty. June 7, 2018).

Lillian Alexander, 85, suffered from advanced dementia and lived with her daughter. She began receiving home health care from Adventist Health Home Care Services, which sent various nurses to treat the Stage II pressure ulcer on Alexander’s coccyx. In less than 10 days, Alexander’s pressure sore progressed to Stage IV. She required surgical debridement, became dehydrated, and died of cardiovascular collapse within a month. Her death certificate listed the Stage IV ulcer as a significant cause. Alexander is survived by her adult children. Alexander’s daughter sued Adventist Health, alleging it failed to obtain an authorized wound consultant to treat the pressure sore. Suit also alleged that the defendant’s nurses failed to notify a physician of the worsening pressure sore and failed to treat it after the hospitalization.

The jury awarded $300,000.

Plaintiff counsel: Michael F. Moran and Lisa Trinh Flint, both of Santa Ana, Calif.

Plaintiff experts: Todd Fearer, geriatrics, Santa Barbara, Calif.; and Monica Trudeau, nursing, Oceanside, Calif.

Defense experts: Gary Steinke, geriatrics, San Jose, Calif.; and Kristin Henderson, nursing, Los Angeles.