New West care home resident's death prompts family to seek class action
A woman whose mother died after living in a B.C. seniors care home where her untreated bed sores became infected says watching her die a painful death was “traumatic” and not something a family should have to witness.
“The pain was so intense,” said Tiffany Dodds, whose mother, Georgina Dodds, died from sepsis that developed from an open pressure wound on her tailbone she got while living in a New Westminster long-term care home.
She was 62.
“My mother would be screaming and begging us to kill her,” she said. “Who wants to watch their mother die in extreme pain? It (the bed sore) was so bad, we could smell it.”
Dodds has launched the first step in a class-action lawsuit against Fraser Health Authority, B.C.'s Health Ministry, and the owner/ operator of Buchanan Lodge, the Salvation Army of Canada.
The class-action proposal was filed in B.C. Supreme Court and says it is on behalf of the loved ones and relatives of residents who lived at the lodge dating back to 1946 and who developed bed sores that led to their deaths.
The proposed action, which would have to be certified by the court before it could proceed, says her mother died of sepsis on May 17, 2022, less than a year after she was admitted to the long-term care home. She had been paralyzed by a stroke months before and needed a wheelchair and complex care.
“We are devastated and heartbroken,” said Tiffany, reading from the family's prepared statement on behalf of Georgina's son, Christopher Dodds, her sister, Anita Luke, and others.
They said Georgina was left severely disabled by the stroke, but she wasn't terminally ill.
“Her death was preventable, and no family should have to endure the pain and suffering we have endured,” the statement said, adding they were filing the lawsuit “not only to seek justice for our mother but also … to ensure no other family has to suffer the same fate.”
In the lawsuit, the family alleges the death “was caused by the negligence of the defendants' staff. Had the deceased been provided with appropriate care while at Buchanan Lodge, she would not have died.”
None of the allegations have been proven in court.
“We are sorry to hear about this family's situation. Our hearts are with them in their grief,” said Health Ministry spokeswoman Gemma Stroobant. “As the matter is before the courts, the ministry cannot make any comments.”
Fraser Health and the Salvation Army said they wouldn't comment for the same reason.
Georgina Dodds had a stroke in March 2021 and three months later moved into the long-term care home for seniors, according to the claim.
The family said it had concerns about the level of care at the home and alleged in the claim that, “The deceased was left in soiled diapers for long periods of time and the deceased was not frequently moved (to prevent bed sores) by staff.”
It said their requests to have her changed or moved “were often ignored” by staff.
In September 2021, Georgina complained of back and buttocks pain, according to the claim.
Tiffany Dodds said she visited her mother every day in the home, including under various COVID restrictions.
Staff told the family there was a bedsore on her tailbone and that a “care plan would be implemented to address the wound and repositioning needs of the deceased.” The claim said that was never done.
By December 2021, the family reported a foul smell in the room and in January 2022, the smell increased and there were more bed sores, on the deceased's ears and feet, the claim said.
Georgina Dodds experienced confusion and chills and she was vomiting, it said. In early 2022, she was admitted to Royal Columbian Hospital.
The claim is seeking the order to certify and a declaration that the defendants owed a duty of care for residents who developed bed sores and who died as a direct or indirect result of the bed sores.
The claim is seeking general damages, including loss of love, guidance and affection, financial support, loss of inheritance, among other losses, as well as special damages such as funeral expenses and other expenses and aggravated and punitive damages, under the Family Compensation Act.
The claim alleges staff were negligent in their care and the residents were of “heightened vulnerability in light of her mental and physical limitations and were completely dependent upon the defendants.”
Tiffany Dodds said she received a letter from Fraser Health's patient care department said an investigation found no evidence of neglect in her mother's care.
She said she is concerned there may be no record-keeping of the incidence of bed sores suffered by residents of care homes.