Elder Law

Nurse Found Guilty in Nursing Home Death Case Sentenced; Supervisor?s Sentencing Delayed

By Levin & Perconti

Cammy Nye, a certified nursing assistant, was sentenced to 30 days in jail, 700 hours of community service, and three years of probation after an Oregon jury found her guilty of contributing to the death of nursing home patient Linda Ober.

Suzanne Ruddell, the nursing supervisor, was also found guilty but her sentencing has been delayed after her lawyer requested a pre-sentencing investigation.

Ober, a patient at Gateway Care and Rehab Center in Portland, was dropped to the floor while being transferred from a wheelchair to her bed, breaking both of her legs. She was then allowed to suffer for 5 days, despite screaming in pain, before finally being taken to the hospital, where she died following complications from surgery.

The jury found Nye guilty of misdemeanor reckless endangerment for precariously placing Ober in a sling, causing her to drop to the floor during the transfer. Rudell was found guilty of two counts of felony criminal mistreatment for refusing to have Ober taken to the hospital. A third defendant, Verna Colleen Heide, pleaded guilty to one count of criminal mistreatment before the trial and testified against Ruddell and Nye. Heide was sentenced last month to three years of probation and 160 hours of community service.

A lawsuit has been filed against the nursing home by Ober?s daughter demanding $3.5 million for her wrongful death.

For the full story, click here.

Full post as published by Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Blog on October 15, 2008 (boomark / email).