CHARLESTON – A Kanawha County man says a pattern of poor care, abuse and neglect at HealthSouth Mountain View Rehab caused his father’s injuries and ultimately led to his death.
Robert Branham Jr., as personal representative of the estate of Robert Branham Sr. (deceased), filed a lawsuit April 19 in Kanawha Circuit Court against West Virginia Rehabilitation Hospital Inc., doing business as HealthSouth Mountain View Regional Rehabilitation Hospital; HealthSouth Corp.; 1543 Country Club Manor Operations LLC, doing business as Pierpont Center at Fairmont Campus; and Genesis Healthcare LLC; alleging statutory violations, reckless misconduct, negligence and wrongful death.
According to the complaint, Branham Sr. was a patient of HealthSouth Mountain View from Aug. 25-31, 2014, where he allegedly suffered injuries such as skin breakdown, a spinal fracture and overall decline in his mental and physical health.
After transferring to Pierpont on Sept. 5, 2014 the suit claims Branham’s condition continued worsened, culminating in dehydration and sepsis, leading to his death on June 2, 2015. The claim states the injuries and death are a result of the defendants’ lack of monitoring and negligent care.
The plaintiff seeks a jury trial, compensatory and punitive damages, and legal expenses. He is represented by attorneys Andrew L. Paternostro and Jeff D. Stewart of The Bell Law Firm PLLC in Charleston.
Judge Louis H. “Duke” Bloom is assigned to the case.
Kanawha Circuit Court Case number 16-C-598