Nursing homes are required to provide a high standard of care when it comes to the well-being and safety of their residents. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, as seen in the recent lawsuit filed against a nursing home in Miami-Dade Circuit Court by Ford, Dean & Rotundo attorneys. The jury returned an $11.05 million verdict after a trial, emphasizing the serious nature of the allegations.

Plaintiffs’ counsel presented touching testimony followed by a facts-based analysis by a medical expert, highlighting the alleged negligence of the nursing home. The case centered around the failure of the defendant, Coral Reef Operating LLC, to provide a resident with statutorily mandated rights. This negligence led to severe medical issues.

How did nursing home negligence occur in this case?

An otherwise healthy individual checked into a nursing home for rehabilitation following a hip surgery. When he started showing signs of Clostridium difficile (C.Diff) including serious diarrhea, nursing home staff did not refer him to a hospital promptly, allowing the infection to progress unchecked. Despite the severity of his symptoms and the potential complications associated with C. diff infection, the staff failed to recognize the urgency of the situation and provide the resident with necessary medical care.

“One of the biggest challenges at trial was getting the jury to realize that the case was due to negligence and not just him getting old, being that he was over the age of 65,” attorney Nicole Masri stated.

What is C.Diff and why is it so dangerous if untreated?

Clostridium difficile, or C. diff, is a bacterium that can cause infection in the colon, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever. It commonly occurs in individuals who have been taking antibiotics or who have weakened immune systems.

If left untreated, C. diff infection can easily progress to dangerous levels, potentially leading to severe inflammation of the colon, tissue damage and the release of toxins into the bloodstream. This can trigger a systemic inflammatory response known as sepsis, which can result in organ failure and even death if not promptly treated.

In the case of this resident, the failure of the nursing home staff to promptly recognize and treat the C. diff infection allowed the infection to progress unchecked. This led to the development of septic shock, a life-threatening condition that ultimately resulted in permanent brain damage and irreversible brain death.

Nursing home negligence can lead to serious C.diff complications for patients. Ultimately, legal guidance can be crucial in holding responsible parties accountable and seeking justice for those who have been harmed.