A shocking lawsuit has been filed against a nursing home, alleging severe negligence and misconduct leading to the death of a resident. Melinda M. Brown, individually and as administratrix of the estate of Nicholas Sylvester Cymbol, deceased, filed the complaint in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania on February 27, 2024, naming Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Sunnyview Operating LLC as defendants.
The complaint details a harrowing series of events that led to the death of Nicholas Sylvester Cymbol, who was a resident at Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. According to the filing, Mr. Cymbol suffered from multiple medical conditions requiring constant skilled nursing care. His family entrusted his care to Sunnyview based on their assurances of high-quality care and adequate staffing. However, this trust was tragically misplaced.
In January 2023, Heather Pressdee was hired as the Unit Manager at Sunnyview's Cardinal Unit where Mr. Cymbol resided. The lawsuit claims that Pressdee had a disturbing history of abusive behavior towards residents at ten previous facilities within four years prior to her employment at Sunnyview. Despite this alarming background, which included causing injuries or deaths of at least 16 residents elsewhere, she was hired without proper vetting by Sunnyview.
The complaint alleges that during her tenure at Sunnyview, Pressdee continued her pattern of abuse unchecked by the facility's administration. It recounts several incidents where residents under her care died under suspicious circumstances involving insulin overdoses or air embolisms administered through IV ports. Notably, it is claimed that Mr. Cymbol was injected with an excessive dose of insulin by Pressdee on April 30, 2023, leading to his hospitalization and subsequent death on May 1, 2023.
Melinda M. Brown asserts that despite numerous red flags and staff complaints about Pressdee’s conduct, Sunnyview failed to take any action to protect its residents or investigate these deaths adequately. The lawsuit accuses Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and its operating company of gross negligence in hiring practices, lack of supervision and training for staff regarding abuse prevention and reporting procedures.
The plaintiff seeks compensatory damages for medical expenses incurred due to Mr. Cymbol’s treatment before his death as well as punitive damages for the pain and suffering he endured due to alleged neglectful actions by the defendants. The suit also demands accountability for failing to adhere to state regulations designed to protect vulnerable individuals in long-term care facilities.
Representing Melinda M. Brown are attorneys Robert N. Peirce III., Scott M Simon., David A Martin from Robert Peirce & Associates P.C.. The case will be presided over by judges from Allegheny County Court with Case ID yet unspecified.