Settlement in Case Involving the Asphyxiation Death of Nursing Home Resident in Mediapolis, Iowa

J.B. was a very petite, bed-bound nursing home resident at a facility located in Mediapolis, Iowa.  Employees of the facility placed J.B. on a bed that contained a mattress that was too small for the frame, creating a large gap between the mattress and the bed rails.  As her health deteriorated, J.B. became more restless and repeatedly became entangled in the bed rails on her bed.  Despite these instances, facility employees failed to provide a mattress that fit her bed or to fill the gap with a wedge.  As a result, on the night she died, J.B. slid in between the mattress and the bed rail.  Her legs and buttocks were on the floor, but her chin became caught on the bed rail.  She died by asphyxiation.

A lawsuit was initiated in Burlington, Iowa, which is in Des Moines County.  The lawsuit alleged negligence against the nursing home facility, as well as its management company and operating corporation.  During the course of the lawsuit, plaintiffs learned that the Administrator had experienced a nearly identical death at a facility in which she had previously worked.  Upon beginning her job at this facility, the new Administrator inspected the facility and reported to her Regional Manager that the beds and bed rails represented a dangerous condition for the residents.  No immediate action was taken by the Regional Manager.  Less than two weeks later, J.B. died in the very manner the Administrator had warned against.

Shortly before trial, the parties reached a confidential settlement of all claims.

Return to Terry Law Firm's Recent Results.

Testimonials


Thank you so much for everything. Most of all I appreciate that you recognized that an atrocity had occurred that needed to be admitted. I wish you great success and a blessed life for you and your family.
-Joyce


After my father's death my sister and I hired David Terry to represent us for a wrongful death case. David did a great job representing my family and gave us the upmost respect. David is very knowledgeable and fought hard for us, treating my family as though it was his. I feel fortunate to have found David and for him to have accepted our case. I highly recommend him to anyone who may need his services.
- Gina A.



I was very impressed with the way David handled our case.

- E.M.



I could see he was doing an extremely professional job of constructing this case block by block, witness by witness.

- Elwin M.



The Terry Law Firm provided us with good service and really kept us informed. David even answers his cell phone off hours. That's impressive.

- Jerry S.



David was very good about explaining things...we're not doctors, we're not lawyers. He was very good about realizing this and making sure we really understood...made sure we understood exactly what he was doing and why.

- Nancy D.



Mr. Terry is a vigilant advocate for families of patients whose loved one had suffered nursing home neglect. He went way beyond what was required of him.

- Bruce R.



David and his staff worked aggressively in resolving liens.

- Bill S.



Concern, concern, concern. He cared about the case and what we were doing.

- Mark K.



Everyone in David's office was cordial and answered questions honestly and seemed truly interested in my case.

- D.S.



I was very fortunate to have him on my side.

- L.E.



He kept us well informed.

- Willis H.

Contact Us

FREE CONSULTATION

888-317-2525

Contact us today for a free,
no obligation consultation
about your legal needs.