It is worth noting that situations similar to those described in this wrongful death case could just as easily occur at any of the healthcare facilities in the area, such as Kaiser Permanente, UC Davis Medical Center, Mercy, or Sutter.
(Please also note: the names and locations of all parties have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the participants in this elder abuse and personal injury case and its proceedings.)
The Second Cause of Action incorporates all of the allegations of the First Cause of Action, which in detail describes the course of neglect which had occurred to Mr. White at Universal before his transfer to National, including the development of a severe Stage IV pressure ulcer, bowel impaction with fecal leakage, and mechanical fall resulting in orthopedic injuries to the neck, wrist and hand, and malnutrition. These conditions, it is alleged, persisted and were not resolved while Mr. White was a patient at National under Dr. Wong’s care.
For more information you are welcome to contact Sacramento personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.
Paragraph 32 of the Second Cause of Action alleges that on and prior to March 27, 2008, Mr. White was in such a debilitated condition that he was not suitable for being discharged to his home. Mr. White’s wife, Debra White, was 75 years of age at the time, and she had no experience or training in caring for a person in her husband’s condition. Dr. Wong then ordered that Mrs. White be trained by hospital staff to care for her husband at home. The care her husband needed was, inter alia, frequent diaper changes, turning him every two hours around the clock and caring for and dressing a large Stage IV pressure ulcer on her husband’s sacrum.
It is also alleged Dr. Wong knew that the only assistance Mrs. White would receive would be episodic visits by a visiting nurse and that Dr. Wong knew that that level of assistance could not and would not result in Mrs. White’s being able to provide the intensity and regularity of care her husband needed. In short, it is alleged that at the time he ordered Mr. White’s discharge home, Dr. Wong knew that Mr. White needed a level of skilled care which could never be provided by his wife, but ordered the discharge anyway. Finally, paragraph 32 asserts that at the time this order was made, Dr. Wong knew or should have known that because Mr. White would not receive the care he needed at his home, his multiple medical conditions would undoubtedly worsen. (See Part 5 of 8.)
For more information you are welcome to contact Sacramento personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.