CHARLESTON — A woman says Sweetbriar Assisted Living was at fault for her mother's injuries during her residency.
Hamister Group was also named as a defendant in the suit.
Betty L. Stephens was a resident of the defendant's assisted living facility starting on March 25, 2021, according to a complaint filed in Kanawha Circuit Court.
Celia J. Andrews, Stephens' daughter, claims the defendants failed to prevent her from suffering from the administration of incorrect medications, which caused a decline in her condition.
Andrews claims the defendants' incorrect medications also caused her mother to suffer recurrent falls. She claims the defendants failed to keep her and Stephens' family fully informed of her total health status.
"As a direct and proximate result of Defendants' acts and omissions during Betty L. Stephens' residency at Sweetbriar Assisted Living, Betty L. Stephens suffered from the administration of incorrect medications and polypharmacy effects which caused a decline in her condition, as well as recurrent falls, mental anguish, physical pain, and suffering," the complaint states. "Betty L. Stephens also endured medical treatment and incurred expenses for such injuries, and was deprived of adequate and appropriate treatment and healthcare or had such treatment and healthcare delayed, and was denied her rights as an assisted living resident..."
Stephens sustained infringements of her rights as an assisted living resident of the defendants' facility. The defendants' actions and omissions were reckless and in wanton disregard.
Andrews claims the defendants were negligent and caused her mother and herself harm.
As a direct and proximate result of the defendants' breaches, Stephens suffered aggravation of existing diseases and physical defects.
Andrews is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. She is represented by Jeff D. Stewart, Andrew L. Paternostro, Katherine H. Arrit and Allison R. Santer of Stewart Bell in Charleston.
The case is assigned to Circuit Judge Carrie Webster.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 23-C-572