Hospital sued by patient who was allegedly injured after falling out of bed

GRETNA – A patient is suing a local hospital where she allegedly fell out of a bed.

Virginia Gros filed suit against Jefferson Parish Hospital Service District #2, Parish of Jefferson, State of Louisiana, East Jefferson General Hospital, St. Theresa Specialty Hospital LLC and Lexington Insurance Company in the 24th Judicial District Court.

Gros claims she suffered a heat stroke after power went out at her sister’s home during Hurricane Isaac. On Sept. 3, the plaintiff alleges that she was picked up by an ambulance that took her for treatment at East Jefferson General Hospital where she stayed until Sept. 24 at which time she was transferred to a St. Theresa Specialty Hospital located on the same hospital campus.

Gros asserts that when she was transported to the new room she stayed in the same bed, but that the bed’s inflatable mattress had to be deflated and the side railings had to be removed for it to fit through the door and were later on reaffixed. The plaintiff claims that on Oct. 15 she shifted in the bed and slid off the side of the bed and fell onto the floor which resulted in her left rotator cuff being torn. Gros alleges an occupational therapist found that the bed had not been properly reinflated which allowed the incident to occur.

The defendant is accused of failing to properly remove and reattach the side safety railing, failing to adequately inflate the bed, failing to inspect the be so it functioned properly and failing to raise all side safety railings when the plaintiff was left alone.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for pain and suffering, mental anguish, mental distress, permanent disability and medical expenses.

Gros is represented by attorney Philip C. Ciaccio Jr. of Gretna.

The case has been assigned to Division L Judge Donald A. Rowan Jr.

Case no. 731-959.