Suit Filed Against McKenna Nursing Home

Ryan Nute

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The Nisqually Valley Care Center in McKenna, Washington is being sued by the daughter of a resident (Florence Pierpoint, 79) who reportedly died after being given a morphine overdose when staff did not follow her doctor's instructions about pain medication.

While prosecutors declined to file criminal charges, the nursing home received a citation in connection with her death because the staff failed to mention Ms. Pierpoint's deteriorating condition or ask if it could have been caused by medication.

Nursing home negligence cases are often unique because of the various roles nursing homes play and the scope of the services they provide. Some residents require significant and constant medical attention. Other residents may require fall prevention assistance. The legal duty the nursing home may owe to a resident may depend on the language of the contractual agreement between them. Testimony from experts familiar with the requisite standard of care will usually be required in a nursing home negligence case.

Read more: Paul Sand, The News Tribune