TT&H Attorneys Tom McGinnis and Sam Dunlop Win Allegheny County Nursing Home Negligence Case

Attorneys Tom McGinnis and Sam Dunlop recently won a defense verdict following a four-day jury trial in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  The Plaintiff’s Decedent, who suffered from a multitude of health issues when he was admitted to the Defendant’s skilled nursing facility, was deemed a high fall risk.  He fell on consecutive nights within a week of his admission, allegedly sustaining a cervical fracture as a result of the second fall.

A key issue in the case concerned the presence or absence of fall mats.  The registered nurse who completed the incident report indicated that fall mats were not “in place.”  She testified, however, that fall mats were in fact present, and that she only indicated that they were not “in place” because the Decedent’s legs were not on them.

The jury evidently understood and accepted this explanation, ultimately determining that the Defendant was not negligent in the context of the Decedent’s fall.

Questions about this case can be directed to Sam Dunlop at (412) 926-1432 or sdunlop@tthlaw.com.