Nursing Home Faces Lawsuit After Resident Falls Down Concrete Stairs in Wheelchair
A nursing home resident suffered extensive injuries after allegedly entering a restricted kitchen area and falling down 13 concrete stairs.
An Iowa nursing home is facing a lawsuit filed by an 88-year-old resident who allegedly fell down a flight of concrete stairs while she was seated in a wheelchair. The plaintiff, a resident of Battle Creek, is suing Odebolt Specialty Care and its owner, Care Initiatives of West Des Moines, for negligence and breach of contract.
According to the lawsuit, the incident occurred on July 2, 2024, when the resident was found at the bottom of 13 concrete stairs leading from the nursing home’s kitchen to its basement. Although the kitchen was reportedly a restricted area where residents were not supposed to enter, a staff member allegedly propped open the door, allowing the resident to wheel herself into the area.
Quick Answer:
Nursing homes have a responsibility to take reasonable steps to protect residents from known hazards. When a resident suffers serious injuries because of an allegedly unsafe environment, inadequate supervision, or a failure to follow facility safety procedures, the circumstances may support a negligence claim depending on the evidence.
What Happened at the Nursing Home?
The state inspector’s report described a chain of events that began when the resident propelled her wheelchair into the nursing home’s kitchen. According to the report, she then moved through two additional doors before reaching the stairs that led to the basement.
The resident ultimately went over the edge of the staircase and fell down all 13 concrete steps. A kitchen worker reportedly heard someone yelling for help and discovered the resident at the bottom of the stairs.
The Kitchen Door Was Left Open
According to the lawsuit, the nursing home’s kitchen was a restricted area where residents were not supposed to enter. A staff member allegedly propped open the door, making it possible for the wheelchair-bound resident to enter the area.
The Resident Entered the Restricted Area
The inspector’s report indicated that the resident propelled herself through the kitchen and then through two additional doors before reaching the staircase leading to the basement.
She Fell Down 13 Concrete Stairs
The resident fell down a flight of 13 concrete stairs leading from the kitchen to the basement. A kitchen employee reportedly heard her calling for help and found her at the bottom of the staircase.
She Suffered Extensive Injuries
The resident was found with lacerations to her forehead and left forearm, along with what staff described as a large gash on her cheek. Hospital records reportedly documented a head wound requiring seven stitches as well as bruising to her head, hands, legs, hips, both eyes, and other parts of her body.
The Resident Had Lived at the Facility Since 2013
According to the lawsuit, the resident had lived at the facility since 2013. The nursing home was reportedly charging her $342 per day for its services.
The length of her stay makes the allegations particularly significant because nursing home facilities have an ongoing responsibility to understand their residents’ needs and risks and to take appropriate precautions based on those circumstances.
A Key Question in a Nursing Home Injury Case:
An important issue may be whether the facility knew or should have known about a resident’s vulnerabilities and whether reasonable safety measures were in place to prevent foreseeable injuries.
Nursing Home Safety Violations and Government Fines
Following the incident, the state reportedly proposed a $9,000 fine against the facility for failing to keep residents safe, although that fine was later held in suspension. Federal officials ultimately imposed a $14,433 fine.
Government inspections and citations can become important evidence when investigating a nursing home injury claim. Inspection reports may identify safety deficiencies, staffing concerns, policy violations, or other conditions that may help explain how an injury occurred.
State Fine Proposed
A $9,000 state fine was proposed in connection with the facility’s alleged failure to keep residents safe, but the fine was reportedly held in suspension.
Federal Fine Imposed
Federal officials ultimately imposed a $14,433 fine against the facility.
Multiple Lawsuits Have Been Filed Against the Facility’s Owner
Court records reportedly indicate that at least 14 other lawsuits were pending against Care Initiatives, the owner of the facility. Thirteen of those cases were described as wrongful death lawsuits involving the company’s facilities. Another lawsuit reportedly arose from an incident involving a male intruder who was found in bed with a female resident at a Care Initiatives facility.
According to the report, those lawsuits alleged negligence by Care Initiatives. The company operates nursing homes in Pleasant Hill, Wapello, Albia, Fonda, Corydon, Waterloo, Marshalltown, Avoca, Oskaloosa, Centerville, West Branch, and Corning.
Several of the cases have reportedly been stayed by the courts, with plaintiffs ordered to bring their claims before an arbitrator. The existence of other lawsuits does not by itself establish liability in any particular case, but prior claims may be relevant to an attorney conducting an investigation.
What Should Families Look for After a Nursing Home Injury?
When a nursing home resident suffers a serious fall, families may have questions about what happened and whether the injury could have been prevented. Important evidence may include the resident’s care plan, incident reports, staffing records, facility policies, inspection reports, medical records, photographs, surveillance footage, and statements from staff or witnesses.
Document the Injury
Preserve photographs, medical records, hospital records, and other documentation showing the extent of the resident’s injuries.
Request Facility Records
Incident reports, care plans, staffing information, and other facility records may help establish how and why the injury occurred.
Investigate Potential Negligence
An attorney can review the available evidence and determine whether the facility may have failed to meet its legal duties to the resident.
Talk to a Springfield, IL Nursing Home Negligence Attorney Today
The Springfield nursing home negligence attorneys at Patel Law, PC represent the interests of patients who have been injured by neglect, abuse, or malpractice. If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury in a nursing home, call our Champaign personal injury lawyers today to schedule an appointment so we can begin investigating your case immediately.
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Source
Telegraph Herald: Iowa nursing home resident lawsuit after wheelchair fall
