Man blames Putnam nursing home, hospital for mother's death

WINFIELD – A man is blaming a Putnam County nursing home and a hospital for his mother's death.

In a lawsuit filed Dec. 23 in Putnam Circuit Court, Donald Simonton names Teays Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Charleston Area Medical Center-Teays Valley for the death of Linda Bea Simonton.

Donald Simonton, who lives in Kanawha County, says his mother was a resident of the nursing home from Dec. 23, 2008, to Jan. 22, 2009. She was there to receive physical and occupational therapy and to receive skilled care for her leg wounds.

But he says she developed additional pressure ulcers and the leg wounds worsened during her time at the facility. He also says the Teays Valley Center failed to provide adequate nutrition and hydration "to prevent the development and worsening of pressure ulcers."

He says his mother suffered from inadequate hydration at the nursing home because employees "failed to adequately monitor Ms. Simonton's fluid intake to ensure that Ms. Simonton's hydration needs were met. Due to this dehydration, Ms. Simonton suffered acute renal failure." He also says she also suffered a urinary tract infection due to improper foley catheter care.

On Jan. 22, 2009, Ms. Simonton was taken to CAMC-Teays Valley's emergency room due to a decrease in consciousness, inability to sleep or eat and numbness in her left arm. She stayed at the hospital until her death on March 2, 2009.

He says CAMC failed to properly and timely diagnose and treat her for bowel perforation and related conditions. As a result, she suffered from an abdominal wound and development of additional skin breakdown and pressure ulcers.

"The negligence and carelessness of the professionals and non-professionals at Teays Valley Center and Charleston Area Medical Center-Teays Valley contributed substantially in causing serious injuries to Ms. Simonton, resulting in pain, suffering and ultimately her death," Donald Simonton says in his complaint.

He seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorney fees and other relief.

He is being represented by Andy Paternostro and Jeff Stewart of The Bell Law Firm in Charleston. The case has been assigned to Judge O.C. "Hobby" Spaudling.

Putnam Circuit Court case number: 10-C-423