A 77-year-old Las Vegas woman was admitted to Sunrise Hospital with a broken hip and later died. Her family says a series of errors may have contributed to her death. In a medical malpractice lawsuit, Sandra Mount’s family alleges that nurses at Sunrise Hospital administered morphine despite a documented allergy and did not prevent a severe pressure ulcer that developed into a fatal infection. The complaint states that she was readmitted to the hospital with sepsis and died. Her family is seeking damages for medical and funeral expenses, as well as compensation for grief and loss of companionship.
What the lawsuit says
The complaint, filed Dec. 31, 2025, by attorney Andrew Thomas on behalf of Mount’s two sons, states that Mount was admitted after a fall in November 2023 that fractured her hip. According to the suit, hospital records indicated a morphine allergy, and both her chart and a colored wristband were intended to flag that risk. The complaint alleges that nurses administered morphine through her IV seven times during two separate hospital stays, as reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
The lawsuit also alleges that after her initial treatment, Mount was discharged to a nursing facility and returned to Sunrise the following day with sepsis. Her family contends that errors during her hospital care contributed to her subsequent decline and death.
Expert: Alleged errors fall below standard
A nursing expert cited in the complaint told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that administering morphine to a patient with a known allergy falls below the accepted standard of care. Another expert cited in the suit concluded that alleged lapses in nursing standards contributed to Mount’s pressure ulcer and subsequent sepsis, according to the complaint.
The expert opinions are expected to play a key role if the case goes to trial, as both sides assess whether the hospital’s actions met accepted standards of nursing care.
Allegations of poor wound care and discharge
The complaint also alleges that staff failed to turn and reposition Mount every two hours, a standard measure to prevent bedsores, and waited a week before providing a specialized pressure-relief mattress. It further claims that her wounds were not properly cleaned or protected.
Mount’s family also challenges her discharge to a rehabilitation facility, saying it was inappropriate because she returned to Sunrise the next day with a severe infection. The complaint notes Mount’s medical history, including gout, reflux, hypertension, and mild renal insufficiency, and states that these conditions increased her risk of complications from immobility and infection.
How bedsores and sepsis can be deadly
Pressure ulcers, or bedsores, occur when prolonged pressure and friction damage the skin and underlying tissue and can become serious if infected, according to the Mayo Clinic. If the infection enters the bloodstream, it can cause sepsis, a potentially life-threatening response that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says requires immediate treatment to lower the risk of death. Older adults and individuals with multiple chronic health conditions, such as those noted for Mount in the complaint, are especially vulnerable to rapid decline if sepsis develops.
Legal claims and next steps
The lawsuit seeks more than $15,000 in damages for medical expenses, funeral costs, and loss of companionship. It alleges that the hospital’s care contributed to Mount’s death on Jan. 4, 2024.
The case is a civil malpractice action that will proceed to discovery, during which medical records, hospital policies, and staff testimony are examined. The outcome will likely depend on expert witnesses evaluating whether Sunrise nurses met the standard of care and whether any alleged breaches contributed to Mount’s pressure ulcer, sepsis, and death. Court filings will also detail the defendants’ responses and the schedule for motions and hearings.
Sunrise Hospital main campus is located at 3186 S. Maryland Parkway in Las Vegas, and the facility provides media contact information on its official website. The newly filed complaint will be entered in civil court, where records will reflect future responses and scheduling orders. Updates from the hospital or the court will be monitored as the case progresses.
