Putnam man sues nursing home for wife's death

CHARLESTON - A Putnam County man has filed a suit against a nursing home facility after his wife died of alleged neglect while living in the home.

Martin Belcher, the widower of Vicky Jean Belcher, filed the suit Sept. 23 in Kanawha Circuit Court against Sunbridge Care and Rehabilitation of Putman.

According to the suit, Vicky Jean Belcher was a patient at Sunbridge from July 5, 2006 to July 24, 2006. Martin Belcher claims that while his wife was a Sunbridge resident she suffered from abuse, neglect and mistreatment.

Martin Belcher claims employees at the facility failed to turn and reposition Vicky Belcher, and failed to keep her skin clean and dry, which caused her skin to break down.

According to the suit, while a resident, Vicky Belcher also suffered from dehydration and urinary tract infections.

Martin Belcher claims Sunbridge failed to provide proper catheter care and hygiene, and also failed to timely notify a physician to treat Vicky Belcher's injuries.

According to the suit, Vicky Belcher was admitted to Select Specialty Hospital, also a defendant.

While at Select, Vicky Belcher continued to show signs of infection, including dark urine, confusion and lethargy, which failed to be treated, the suit says.

Vicky Belcher continued to reside at Select and suffer from her injuries until her death on Sept. 8, 2008.

In the three-count suit, Martin Belcher claims he suffered mental pain and suffering as a result of his wife's injuries and death. He seeks damages for himself and the estate of Vicky Belcher.

Attorney Erin Winter is representing Belcher. The case has been assigned to Judge James Stucky.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number 08-C-1845