Florida woman blames Valley Center for father's death

CHARLESTON - A Florida woman claims her father's death in 2004 was partly caused by a South Charleston care facility.

Diane Myers, acting as the Executrix of the Estate of George Lanham II, filed a lawsuit May 8 in Kanawha Circuit Court against Glenmark Limited Liability Company, doing business as Valley Center in South Charleston.

Myers, who lives in Boca Raton, said her father's medical conditions were mismanaged during his 11 days at Valley Center, a member of the Genesis ElderCare Network, resulting in his Nov. 19, 2004, death.

Myers said the staff failed to properly manage his delirium and thrombocytopenia, a condition where there are not enough platelets in the blood, making clotting difficult.

She also says the staff failed to prevent falls and appropriately monitor her father, who was 87 when he passed away.

"Defendant's failure to follow accepted standards of care deprived George Lanham of a chance of recovery or otherwise increased the risk of harm to him, which was a substantial factor in bringing about his injuries and death," the complaint says.

Myers is represented by Benjamin Salango of Charleston law firm Preston and Salango.

Valley Center features 130 beds and claims to be the largest provider of nursing and rehabilitative care in the state of West Virginia.

Myers said it "failed to exercise that degree of care, skill and learning required or expected of a reasonable, prudent health care provider in the profession or class to which the health care provider belongs."

She is seeking compensatory and punitive damages.

Judge Irene Berger has been assigned the case.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number 06-C-871