Professional Negligence Law Reporter

Home Health Care

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Negligent wound treatment

November/December 2024

Agnes Allen underwent bilateral below-the-knee leg amputations in 2013. In 2019, she developed 8/10 level pain in her left stump, which became swollen and foul smelling. Although a nurse practitioner allegedly evaluated Allen’s wounds, she subsequently developed sepsis and died of septic shock and cardiac arrest. She is survived by her four children.

Allen’s estate sued a home health care entity and others, alleging failure to properly monitor and treat Allen’s leg stump wounds. Among other things, the plaintiff asserted that Allen should have been transferred to a hospital in light of her symptoms, which indicated an infection, and that a nurse negligently failed to bandage the wounds.

The parties settled for $400,000.

Citation: Allen v. Primary Homecare, LLC, No. 210501440 (Pa. Ct. Com. Pl. Phila. Cnty. Apr. 8, 2024).

Plaintiff counsel: J. Michael Considine Jr., Philadelphia.