Lee’s Summit Woman Sues University Health Over Husband’s Death

News Summary

A Lee’s Summit woman has filed a lawsuit against University Health following the alleged preventable death of her husband, Dan Jones. The suit claims neglect during his care led to severe health complications, including stage four pressure ulcers. Sara Jones argues that inadequate staffing and improper monitoring contributed to her husband’s tragic outcome. University Health has not yet commented on the allegations as the case prepares for a jury trial scheduled for April 2025.

Lee’s Summit Woman Files Lawsuit Against University Health Over Husband’s Preventable Death

In a bitter turn of events, a woman from Lee’s Summit has initiated legal action against University Health, the hospital previously known as Truman Medical Center. The lawsuit stems from the tragic death of her husband, Dan Jones, who allegedly suffered a preventable injury while being cared for at the facility during late 2022.

Dan Jones’ Struggles in Care

Sara Jones, determined to seek justice for her late husband, filed the lawsuit last Tuesday in Jackson County Court. She claims that insufficient care contributed to Dan’s death during his admission to the nursing facility. In December 2022, while his health had already been compromised due to dementia and Parkinson’s Disease, Dan Jones began experiencing serious complications linked to pressure ulcers.

Relatives describe how Dan’s health took a significant downturn over his long-term hospital stay, which began in June 2022. Being bedridden for much of the time, he tragically developed a sore on his tailbone between June and August. The sore, which began as a common pressure injury, escalated into a stage four pressure ulcer by October 2022. At this stage, the ulcer had become incredibly severe and penetrated into the muscle, leading to further complications.

Allegations of Neglect

The lawsuit highlights how Dan’s condition was not effectively monitored by the hospital’s staff, claiming that nursing personnel failed to assess his risk of developing worsening pressure injuries. Sara alleges that Dan should have been repositioned every two hours to alleviate pressure and help prevent ulcers. Furthermore, she contends that he should have received a special bed designed to provide relief from pressure points.

Despite on-going treatment, Dan’s wound became resistant to three different antibiotics by the fall of 2022, raising concerns about the care strategies in place. Sara’s lawsuit points to potential deficiencies in the nursing staff’s knowledge when it comes to infection control, suggesting that this lack of expertise could have contributed to her husband’s tragic outcome.

Concerns Over Staffing and Patient Care

Central to the case is the issue of short staffing at the facility. The lawsuit argues that University Health’s efforts to cut costs significantly impacted the quality of care provided to patients. Inadequate staffing levels are said to have led to lapses in Dan Jones’ care plan, further complicating his health conditions.

These allegations have serious implications, especially when considering that complications from pressure ulcers are linked to over 60,000 deaths in the United States each year, as reported by the Department of Health and Human Services. The case against University Health contends that the hospital acted against its duty of care by admitting patients without ensuring they could provide adequate healing and support.

The Road Ahead

In response to the pending lawsuit, University Health has stated that they have not yet been formally served and have not commented on the specifics of the situation. However, the hospital has a long track record of providing quality care and emphasizes that patient and family concerns are taken seriously.

Meanwhile, Sara Jones and her legal team are preparing for a jury trial as they continue to pursue the matter in court. The next critical court appearance is scheduled for April 16, 2025. In what has been a tough journey, Sara seeks to hold the hospital accountable for what she believes was a preventable tragedy that changed her life forever.