CHARLESTON — A woman is suing Eastbrook Center for the death of her mother.
Eastbrook Center is doing business as Stonerise Charleston. Stonerise Healthcare was also named as a defendant in the suit.
Jennifer Austin claims Jennifer Baldwin was admitted to Stonerise Charleston for rehabilitation and assistance with her activities and daily living on March 3, 2020, according to a complaint filed in Kanawha Circuit Court.
Austin claims the defendants failed to provide adequate supervision and safety devices to prevent Baldwin was suffering multiple urinary tract infections. A urinary tract infection is what led to septic shock, emergent hospitalization and Baldwin's death.
The defendants were negligent and failed to provide adequate and appropriate care and treatment to enhance or maintain Baldwin's quality of life, according to the suit.
"Therefore, Jennifer L. Baldwin sustained infringements of her rights as a nursing home resident at the Defendants' nursing home facilities," the complaint states. "The actions and omissions alleged above arise to the level of reckless, wanton disregard, and punitive damages are warranted."
The defendants breached their duties, which resulted in Baldwin's injuries and death, according to the suit.
Austin claims the defendants are at fault for Baldwin's wrongful death. She claims their breached their duties and were negligent. Austin claims the defendants caused Baldwin's survivors to incur funeral expenses and medical expenses for her care and treatment of the conditions that led to her death.
"As a direct and proximate result of the negligence of the Defendants and their employees...Jennifer L. Baldwin died and Jennifer N. Austin has sustained mental pain, suffering and loss of companionship of her mother as a result of her death," the complaint states.
Austin is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. She is represented by Jeff D. Stewart, Andrew L. Paternostro, S. Andrew Stonestreet and Michelle L. Barker of Stewart Bell in Charleston.
The case is assigned to Circuit Judge Ken Ballard.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 22-C-148