Article Page Four: Nursing Home Resident’s Son Files Suit Over Maggot Infestation of His Mother. Date: 9 August, 2002- Montgomery
Joe N. Davis of Greensboro, Alabama is suing
Northport Health Services because his 78-year-old mother’s abdomen was
infested by maggots. Montgomery Attorney Jere Beasley is handling the case,
which was filed in Hale County Circuit Court today.
Ms. Davis is a resident of Moundville Nursing Facility located in Hale County.
Maggots were discovered in Ms. Davis’ feeding tube during a routine dressing
change on July 20 of this year. Ms. Davis was taken to DCH Regional Medical
Center for treatment.
“When this case was presented to my firm, I was appalled to read that the
nursing home owner stated that Ms. Davis was not ‘adversely affected’ by
having maggots infested in her stomach and abdomen,” states Mr. Beasley. “I
am adversely affected just hearing about it, much less experiencing it. This
type treatment of a person in a nursing home should stun the conscience of the
public.”
“This incident, frankly, doesn’t shock me because I have seen first-hand the
negligent, under-staffed, and unsanitary conditions of many of Alabama’s
nursing homes and this type ‘care’ can be result,” states Mr. Beasley.
“Nursing homes are not held to the same standard of care as you and I would be
if we were taking care of a loved one at home. The political clout of the
nursing home interests has enabled them to water down the oversight regulations
and laws so much that it is almost impossible to hold nursing homes accountable
for mismanagement and inadequate care. Thank goodness the courts are sill open
to the victims of abuse, neglect and bad treatment.”
Mr. Beasley explains that the best protection for families with loved ones in a
nursing facility is to visit them daily, at different times. “In many cases,
it is impossible for people to do that because of travel distance and time. But,
the bottom line is that when you admit someone into one of these facilities, you
are trusting them to administer excellent care to the patient. And nothing less
than a sanitary, comfortable, and safe environment is acceptable. Period.”
According to Mr. Beasley, “Ms. Davis’ condition was allowed to exist for a
long period of time, which is outrageous and intolerable. Rather than giving a
bad nursing home protection, state leaders and lawmakers should do everything
possible to make nursing homes responsible to the residents under their care.”
DUMAS
MEDICAL INVESTIGATIONS
P.O. Box 850172 Mobile, Alabama 36685
(251) 423-2307 / Fax (251) 776-7563