PITTSBURGH – An Allison Park woman has brought legal action against a variety of nursing care facilities and other parties, contending that their collective negligence led to the death of an elderly man.
Carrie M. McCarthy (as Administrator of the Estate of Robert Herman Fritz and on behalf of the Wrongful Death Beneficiaries of Robert Herman Fritz) of Allison Park filed suit in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas on Dec. 28 versus Arden Courts of North Hills of Pittsburgh, and others.
“Robert Herman Fritz was a resident of Arden Courts of North Hills, from Nov. 13, 2015 through Nov. 27, 2019, and suffered various injuries while a resident there including, but not limited to, falls and a fractured hip, which contributed to his death on Feb. 13, 2020,” the suit states.
The suit adds Fritz was admitted to the facility in November 2015, with a history of Alzheimer’s dementia with psychosis and depression, along with an overall health status and cognitive function described as ‘fair’. He was found to be unable to self-administer medication and ‘immobile’ in a mobility needs assessment.
“During his residency, there were several behavioral issues reported. Fritz was verbally aggressive and throwing rocks on Feb. 1, 2016. On Feb. 28, 2016, Fritz was noted to have attempted to stab a nurse with a pen. Fritz was involuntarily committed to a psychiatric hospital due to this behavior for approximately two weeks,” per the suit.
After returning to Arden Courts of North Hills, various issues with Fritz were reported, including his falling, contracting ringworm, being incontinent, hip fractures, leg pain, lack of ambulation and finally, pressure ulcers on his left buttock and left heel – all of which ultimately proved fatal.
For multiple counts of negligence, wrongful death and survival, the plaintiff is seeking damages in excess of the compulsory arbitration limits and/or $50,000, whichever is greater, plus punitive damages, costs and any other relief the Honorable Court deems appropriate under the circumstances and a trial by jury.
The plaintiff is represented by D. Bryant Chaffin of McHugh Fuller Law Group, in Hattiesburg, Miss.
The defendants have not yet secured legal counsel.
Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas case GD-20-013066
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nick.malfitano@therecordinc.com