A tragic case of alleged medical negligence has emerged, highlighting the potential failures within a prominent healthcare facility. On July 1, 2024, Tina Jones filed a complaint in the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas against Crozer Health d/b/a Crozer-Chester Medical Center and Dr. Wei Bin, accusing them of professional negligence that led to the death of her son, Bruce Bellinger Jr.
According to the complaint, Bruce Bellinger Jr., who had a history of end-stage renal disease and was on dialysis, was admitted to Crozer-Chester Medical Center on August 15, 2022, with acute altered mental status. Despite presenting with severe malnutrition and icterus, Bellinger received what Jones describes as inadequate care from the medical staff. The plaintiff claims that multiple falls occurred during his hospital stay due to insufficient monitoring and lack of proper fall prevention measures. "Failing to provide adequate patient care including... providing adequate fall protection and prevention," reads one accusation from the lawsuit.
The narrative unfolds with Bellinger's initial treatment in the emergency department where he underwent a CT scan revealing a small subdural hemorrhage. Following this, he received hemodialysis but continued to show signs of confusion and altered mental status over several days. On August 21, 2022, after reportedly falling twice within a short span and showing signs of severe neurological decline, Bellinger was found unresponsive with agonal breathing. A subsequent CT scan revealed an acute holohemispheric subdural hematoma causing significant midline shift.
Despite neurosurgery being urgently consulted, it was determined that no further medical or surgical intervention would benefit Bellinger due to the severity of his condition. He was pronounced brain dead on August 22 and passed away on August 23. The complaint accuses Crozer Health and Dr. Wei Bin of failing to take necessary precautions after rapid response calls were made following his falls and not referring him immediately for neurosurgical evaluation after his first fall.
Jones is seeking judgment against the defendants for professional negligence leading to wrongful death under Pennsylvania law. She demands compensation exceeding arbitration limits for damages including pain and suffering endured by her son before his death, loss of life's pleasures, financial losses incurred by his family due to his demise, and future means of support.
Representing Tina Jones is attorney Michael D. Shaffer from Shaffer & Gaier LLC based in Philadelphia. The case will be presided over by judges at the Delaware County Court under Case ID: [Case ID not provided].