Putnam woman sues for wrongful death, nursing home negligence

WINFIELD – A Putnam County woman is suing Genesis Healthcare after her husband was a victim of nursing home negligence, she claims.

Teays Valley Center was also named as a defendant in the suit.

From July 22, 2009, until July 29, 2009, John A. Osburn was a resident of the defendants' nursing home, where he suffered serious injuries from a pattern of poor care, neglect and abuse, according to a complaint filed June 23 in Putnam Circuit Court.

Shirley A. Osburn claims her husband suffered from an injury of an unknown origin that resulted in a fractured right hip, falls, dehydration, urinary tract infection and sepsis.

The defendants' negligence and abuse caused significant destruction of John A. Osburn's physical and mental condition during his residency at the facility, according to the suit.

Shirley A. Osburn claims the defendants failed to care for her husband in a manner in such an environment free of accident hazards so as to promote the maintenance or enhancement of his quality of life.

The defendants' acts and omissions violated John A. Osburn's right to be treated courteously, fairly and with the fullest measure of dignity, according to the suit.

Shirley A. Osburn is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. She is being represented by Andrew L. Paternostro and Jeff D. Stewart of The Bell Law Firm in Charleston.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge O.C. Spaulding.

Putnam Circuit Court case number: 11-C-179