PRINCETON — Princeton Health Care Center denies the allegations against it in a lawsuit filed by the family of a former resident.
The defendant contends that the damages and injuries alleged were not due to the failure on the defendant's part to comply with the standard of care and were, instead, due to a natural disease process, the answer states.
"Defendant denies that it breached any affirmative duty or standard of care with respect to the Plaintiff," the defendant's answer states. "Defendant denies that any of its acts or omissions were proximately caused or contributed to any injury or damage to the Plaintiff."
The defendant contends in its answer that it reserves the right to raise any additional affirmative defenses that may arise during discovery.
Christa Galligher was a resident of Princeton Health Care Center and during her stay, the defendants were negligent in their care, according to a complaint filed in Mercer Circuit Court.
The defendants failed to keep Christa Galligher and her family informed of her total health status and of her medical condition and caused her to suffer from infections from pressure sores, urinary tract infections and other physician and mental pain and suffering, according to the suit.
Joseph Galligher claims the defendant was negligent and reckless and failed to provide Christa Galligher with basic needs such as food, liquid, toileting, cleaning and assistance with activities of daily living. Christa Galligher died on July 23, 2020.
The plaintiff is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. He is represented by Jeff D. Stewart, Andrew L. Paternostro, S. Andrew Stonestreet and Michelle L. Barker of Stewart Bell in Charleston.
The defendant is represented by Dwayne E. Cyrus and Emily L. Lilly of Shuman McCuskey Slicer in Charleston.
The case is assigned to Circuit Judge Mark Wills.
Mercer Circuit Court case number: 21-C-137