A Shrewsbury assisted living facility is currently facing a wrongful death lawsuit after an elderly woman's death following a fall. The lawsuit was filed on last Friday on behalf of the estate of Nancy McNamara, whose representatives claim that The Residence at Orchard Grove, which is operated by LBC Senior Living Operating, LLC., failed to provide necessary care as stipulated in McNamara's care plan. This negligence is believed to have contributed to McNamara's death in early 2022.
According to MassLive, the suit describes a tragic scene where McNamara was discovered at 3:30 p.m. on December 4, 2021, face-down and wedged between her bed and nightstand after presumably having been on the floor for at least 18 hours. A trauma team at the hospital indicated that she must have been on the floor for over 24 hours, revealing extensive pressure wounds and other injuries consistent with a prolonged period without assistance. LBC spokesperson Ted Doyle stated to MassLive, "Our deepest condolences go out to the family and the loss of their mother," but declined to comment further due to the active litigation.
Further details from This Week in Worcester suggest that McNamara's chart at the facility had indicated regular attendances by the staff, yet evidence points to a contradictory timeline. The civil complaint alleges that staff records noting McNamara's care were falsified and that she was not seen for over 18 hours, despite the facility's claims of thrice-daily checks. This discrepancy is a core part of the negligence argued by the plaintiff's representation.
The wrongful death suit has highlighted several failures on part of the assisted living center, including not adhering to its own stated mission and care protocols for McNamara. The facility's lack of proper care and oversight is believed to have led to her untimely death from complications of the injuries sustained in the fall. The plaintiffs are seeking a jury trial to address these issues, intending to "punish this defendant for Nancy McNamara’s Wrongful Death" and to strive for "safe community standards," as detailed in court documents obtained by MassLive.
While McNamara's family grapples with their loss, the case against The Residence at Orchard Grove is set to determine whether a standard of care promised was a standard of care provided to an elderly woman in her final days.
