Professional Negligence Law Reporter

Dorothy Mae Lyles was admitted to Sanatoga Center after a hospitalization. At the time of her admission, she was noted to have pressure sores and to be at high risk for developing additional sores due to her need for assistance with mobility. Nevertheless, Lyles allegedly had no repositioning program in place. Two months later, she was transferred to a hospital and received treatment for pressure ulcers at a wound healing center. She continued to develop pressure ulcers, however.

Lyles, 88, subsequently developed septic shock and died from an infected sacral pressure ulcer. She is survived by her daughter.

Lyles’s daughter sued the facility and related entities, alleging wrongful death. The plaintiff asserted that the staff at Sanatoga Center had no turning and positioning program in place for Lyles despite her documented need for such care.

The parties settled for $200,000.

Citation: Owens v. 225 Evergreen Rd. Operations, LLC, No. 2020-15239 (Pa. Ct. Com. Pl. Montgomery Cnty. July 18, 2024).

Plaintiff counsel: Andrei Govorov, Philadelphia