PHILADELPHIA – A patient formerly residing in a local rehabilitation facility claims to have suffered a crushed left hand during his stay, due to the hydraulic mechanism of his bunk bed allegedly failing and causing that injury.
Jose Medina of Philadelphia filed suit in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas on Jan. 25 versus the Joseph E. Coleman Education & Treatment Center (also known as “Coleman Hall”) and Community Correction Corporation, both also of Philadelphia.
Per the litigation, Medina had been residing at Coleman Hall in the fall of 2016, was cared for by the facility staff and received food and lodging. While residing in the facility, Medina was provided with sleeping quarters, which included the top bunk of a two-bunk bed.
“On Dec. 16, 2016, the plaintiff was attempting to lift the mattress and while doing so, the mechanism did not function properly and as a result, the bed (mattress and underneath structure) fell on his left hand, causing it to be crushed against the frame of the bed, thus causing him to sustain the serious injuries enumerated hereinafter,” the suit states.
“As a result of the aforesaid accident, the plaintiff sustained injuries to his left hand and knuckles and surrounding areas, including but not limited to fractures of fourth and fifth metacarpals, bruises and sprain and strains, as well as a severe and permanent shock to the nervous system,” the suit adds.
Medina claims the defendants failed to properly inspect, maintain or repair his bed, failed to use proper equipment and knowingly created an unreasonable risk of harm to come to him, in addition to other allegations.
For negligence, the plaintiff is seeking damages, jointly and severally, in excess of $50,000 – and for punitive damages, the plaintiff is seeking an additional amount in excess of $50,000.
The plaintiff is represented by David B. Sherman of Solomon Sherman & Gabay, in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas case 180104113
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nickpennrecord@gmail.com