Family of nursing home resident who died sues

NEW ORLEANS – The family of a woman died while in the care of a nursing home are suing for alleged wrongful death.

Shelia Butler, Susan Allen, Lawerance Stoval, Bryan Stovall and Fred Stoval filed suit on behalf of Mary Stoval against Louisiana Medical Mutual Insurance Company in the Orleans Parish Central District Court on July 22.

The family of Mary Stoval claims she became a resident of Crescent City Health Care Center after suffering from dementia and difficulty communicating and walking.  During the course of her treatment the plaintiffs claim she experienced serious deterioration, suffered from a number of medical complications and eventually required a feeding tube.  The plaintiffs assert that despite the patient’s need to remain elevated for respiration, the physician failed to provide a proper bed, despite numerous request for a remedy. The plaintiffs claim that this led to the need for multiple hospitalizations at Touro Infirmary.

The defendant is accused of failure to monitor the patient’s condition, provide appropriate therapies, properly monitor the patient, carry out physician’s orders and failure to provide proper bedding and services.

The plaintiffs claim that these series of event eventually lead to Stoval’s death.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for damages including wrongful death, damages for the Stoval’s pain and suffering and mental distress as well as damages for their own loss of love and affection, grief, distress and mental anguish.

The plaintiffs are represented by R. Glenn Cater of New Orleans-based Cater & Associates LLC.

The case has been assigned to Division M Judge Paulette R. Irons.

Case no. 2013-06847.