A Blair County, Pennsylvania, woman sued the owners of a nursing home on Thursday alleging they were responsible for her husband’s death while under their care.
Sylvia A. Clouser's husband, John J. Clouser, was admitted to the Golden Living Center Hillview in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on April 2011 due to mobility issues and Alzheimer's/dementia. The facility is owned by Golden Gate National Senior Care, LLC and GGNSC Alltoona Hillview GP LLC.
While at the facility, John Clouser developed a skin irritation, which was allegedly improperly documented by his caretakers. Nurses noticed the decedent was bleeding from his rectum and he required emergency treatment on Feb. 17, 2013.
John Clouser was admitted to Altoona Hospital on Feb. 18, 2013 in septic and renal failure, and was diagnosed with a perianal fistula and an ulcer. Treatment, including a laparoscopic sigmoid colostomy, revealed the presence of bacteria at the wound site. He remained septic and steadily declined, dying on Feb. 21, 2013.
Sylvia Clouser alleged in her suit that staff at Golden Living Center Hillview were negligent in the care, diagnosis, recording and communication of her late husband’s conditions, including signs of infection and ulceration. She seeks damages for his suffering, medical costs, pecuniary loss for their three children, punitive damages and costs.
The plaintiff is represented by Elizabeth Jenkins and John Caput, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Court of Common Pleas, Blair County case No. 3:15-cv-00033-KRG