In the Courts: Staff Training, Supervision: County-Operated Nursing Home Faces Suit for Deprivation of Federal Civil Rights

In a lawsuit brought by a resident who had experienced infections, a pressure ulcer, and leg amputation during her stay at a county-run nursing home, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has found that the plaintiff pled adequate facts to support a civil action for deprivation of federally protected rights. With the finding, the court vacated the ruling of the trial court and returned the case to the lower court for further proceedings.

The resident was 90 years old at the time of her admission and lived at the nursing home for about 10 months. During her stay, she allegedly experienced an unrecognized decline in condition and anemia. She also experienced infections, dehydration, gangrene,...