TALLAHASSEE -- A woman claims that a hospital was negligent and caused her mother to suffer from a bed sore that further prevented her from being returned to an assisted living facility.
Katrinka Norwood, the daughter and personal representative of the estate of Barbara Melinder, filed a complaint on June 10 in Leon County Circuit Court against Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare, Inc.
According to the complaint, on Nov. 23, 2018, Barbara Melinder was living at a place called Cherry Laurel and fell, causing her to be transported to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital.
Melinder broke her hip in the fall and she underwent surgery.
On Dec. 3, 2018, Melinder was transferred to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation under the care of Dr. Augstin Vilardo. On Dec. 6, 2018, Melinder was diagnosed with a stage 1 pressure sore, and subsequently had to be turned every two hours to prevent more, the suit says.
On Dec. 11, 2018, the progress note shows that the sore had increased in size, the suit says. Melinder was due to be discharged and transferred on Dec. 26, 2018, when a nurse found a bedsore that disqualified her from the transfer, the suit says.
Dr. Vilardo told a head nurse there was no reason as to why a patient would have gotten a bed sore, the suit says. On Jan. 9, 2019, Melinder was able to be transferred to Seven Hills Rehabilitation but was never able to return to an assisted living facility per her wishes because of the stage of bedsore obtained at the hospital rehabilitation, the suit says. Melinder died on August 3, 2020.
Norwood seeks damages, attorney's fees and cost of suit. Norwood is represented by Scott E Gwartney of Brooks, LeBouef, Foster, Gwartney, Leace and Hobbs, P.A.