Man sues nursing home for relative's death

CHARLESTON -- A man is suing Summers Nursing & Rehabilitation Center after he claims they are responsible for his family member's death.

AMFM, LLC; Commercial Holdings, Inc. k/n/a Commercial Holdings, LLC; Integrated Commercial Enterprises, Inc.; Manzanita Holdings, LLC; Manzanita Management, Inc.; Lifetree, LLC; Wisteria, LLC; Rick Shrewbury; John Does 1 through 10; and Unidentified Entities 1 through 10 (as to Summers Nursing and Rehabilitation Center) were also named as defendants in the suit.

On March 9, 2007, Josephine Walker was admitted to Summers Nursing & Rehabilitation Center and remained a resident there until April 12, 2009, according to a complaint filed March 31 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Eulas Walker claims the defendants' care of Josephine Walker was negligent and accelerated the deterioration of her health and physical condition beyond that caused by the normal aging process.

Josephine Walker suffered fractures, dehydration, infections and pneumonia while she was a resident of the nursing home, according to the suit.

Eulas Walker claims Josephine Walker died Sept. 26, 2010, as a result of injuries she suffered while a resident of the nursing home.

The defendants failed to take reasonable steps to prevent, eliminate, and correct deficiencies and problems in resident care; failed to properly assess Josephine Walker for the risk of development of pressure sores and infection; failed to provide a proper mattress and bedding for Josephine Walker, protective devices and pressure relief devices; and failed to provide Josephine Walker with adequate and appropriate wound care, including timely dressing changes, so as to prevent the aggravation and deterioration of pressure sores on her body, according to the suit.

Eulas Walker is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. He is being represented by James B. McHugh and Michael J. Fuller Jr.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge James C. Stucky.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 11-C-525