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California Nursing Home Fined For Resident’s Death

Negligence has been a common theme for the Orchard-Post Acute Care (previously known as Royal Court Health Care) nursing home in Whittier, California. From 2006 to 2011, this private, 162-bed “care” facility, which serves as both a temporary and long-term elder residential facility, has received 63 citations from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

Inexcusable Negligence

One of the most notorious incidents in the facility’s history involved the death of a 78-year old Alzheimer’s patient in 2008. At the time of his admission, he was recovering from a stroke, but he suffered severe injury when nursing home staff inserted his feeding tube incorrectly. According to the report by the CDPH, workers at the facility inserted the man’s feeding tube into his peritoneal cavity – located outside of the stomach – instead of into his stomach.

Staff took the man to the emergency room after he complained of abdominal pain and doctors discovered that the lining of his abdomen was inflamed, causing difficulty breathing, and that he was in septic shock. Six days later, the man died of his injuries.

CDPH levied a $75,000 fine against Orchard-Post Acute Care Center for the incident.

Orchard-Post Acute Care has received two out of five stars in the federal Nursing Home Compare rating system. And yet, despite the poor rating and repeated citations from the CDPH, facility administrator Rich Jorgensen remains confident in the nursing home and its “high level of care” for patients and residents. Jorgensen later stated that he would trust putting his mother under their care and supervision.

An Attorney Can Help

Potential nursing home residents and their families should do careful research before choosing a long-term care facility. If you or a loved one has suffered injury because of nursing home negligence, contact an experienced personal injury attorney. A personal injury lawyer can assess your case and help you get the compensation for your injuries you deserve. For more information, contact an attorney today.