Negligence at Brittany Manor Nursing Center Results in Hip Fracture and Death

An elderly woman rolled out of bed and suffered a debilitating hip fracture and head injury at Brittany Manor in Midland, Michigan, on June 5, 2010.  It was the third time she had fallen out of bed in that facility.

Nursing staff transferred Ms. S to her bed, left her alone in the room to gather some linens, and returned to find her on the ground.  Ms. S rolled off her bed, as she had done before, because the nursing assistant failed to properly position her or use bed bolsters and side rails before leaving her unattended. She was transferred to Mid Michigan Medical Center where a CT scan revealed a fractured right hip and brain contusions.  She received 13 staples to close the wound on her scalp, and surgeons used screws to repair her hip the day after her fall.  Two days later, she was released to a rehabilitation center, where it was noted that her potential for rehabilitation was poor.  Attempts to rehabilitate Ms. S caused her increased pain and anxiety, resulting in discharge from post-operative therapy.

Unable to tolerate pain, suffering from anxiety due to her injuries, and experiencing total loss of independent mobility, Ms. S spent most of her time in her bed.  Her health quickly declined and she died three months later, on September 5, 2010.