S.S. and her husband lived together in an assisted living facility.  As her condition deteriorated, she had to be moved to an accompanying skilled nursing home facility.  Upon entering the facility, she was able to walk using a walker, but was known to be a fall risk.  She needed assistance to the restroom and in the restroom as well.

One day, S.S.'s son received a telephone call from the facility explaining that his mother had fallen, but that she was resting comfortably in her room.  When her sons arrived at the facility, they found their mother in a great deal of pain lying on her bed.  She was in substantially worse condition than the facility originally led them to believe.  They subsequently learned that she had been left in the restroom by herself with no assistance whatsoever.  After waiting for help from a facility employee for a long period of time, she attempted to get up by herself, fell and broke her hip. 

After it was determined that she had broken a hip, her physician recommended that they not proceed with surgery as he believed that she would not survive the surgery.  Two weeks later, S.S. died of complications associated with the fall.

After her death, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services investigated the circumstances of S.S.'s death.  After multiple interviews and reviewing records, the Department cited the facility with deficient conduct.

A wrongful death lawsuit was brought by S.S.'s two sons, Bill and Jerry, who were regular visitors while she was in the facility.  Shortly after the lawsuit was filed, a confidential settlement was reached between the parties.  Bill and Jerry can be seen discussing their mother and her experience at this facility here in their client testimonial.

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