Bedsores are a cardinal mark of neglect in hospital care. They need never occur, and once they are created, should/could/must be treated so that they go away. The decedent in this legal malpractice case was treated horribly. The survivors then hired an attorney who let the case go, and himself was disbarred upon a guilty plea to a felony. Result? Not good.
In Corsiatto v Maddalone 2013 NY Slip Op 30553(U) March 13, 2013 Supreme Court, Suffolk County Docket Number: 2009-14305 Judge: John J.J. Jones Jr we see:"’I‘he legal malpractice action was commenced on April 14, 2009. The underlying claim was for medical malpractice, neglect and mistreatment of Veronica Pecoraro, the plaintiffs mother, [“the decedent”], while the decedent was a patient at United Presbyterian Residence [“UPR’]. The decedent was admitted to UPR in August of 1994. She presented with a history of having suffered a stroke and congestive heart failure, was oxygen dependent and diabetic. Upon admission to UPR she had a Stage 1-11 pressure ulcer in the sacral area in the beginning stages, also referred to as a bedsore or decubitus ulcer."
"This action for legal malpractice was commenced on April 14,2009. On this inquest the plaintiff” seeks $1,000,000 in compensatory damages, $1,000,000 in punitive damages, and interest on the award from the date of the legal malpractice. In support of the application the. plaintiff submitted, inter alia, the affidavit of Paul Knieste, R.N., dated October 16,20 12 [“the Knieste affidavit”] to express an expert opinion based on the decedent’s medical records regarding her care and management while at UPR. The Knieste affidavit does not include Knies te’s educational background or a description of credentials qualifying Knieste as an expert on wound care."
"This action for legal malpractice was commenced on April 14,2009. On this inquest the plaintiff” seeks $1,000,000 in compensatory damages, $1,000,000 in punitive damages, and interest on the award from the date of the legal malpractice. In support of the application the. plaintiff submitted, inter alia, the affidavit of Paul Knieste, R.N., dated October 16,20 12 [“the Knieste affidavit”] to express an expert opinion based on the decedent’s medical records regarding her care and management while at UPR. The Knieste affidavit does not include Knies te’s educational background or a description of credentials qualifying Knieste as an expert on wound care."
"Informed by the foregoing, and in light of the evidence adduced by the plaintiff‘ demonstrating a violation of the Public Health Law in the management of the decedent’s Stage IV bedsore for a period of one month, the court believes that $200,000 does not materially deviate from what could be considered reasonable compensation given that the decedent’s medial condition made her a high risk for decubitus ulcers, that on admission to UPR she presented with a Stage 1-11 pressure sore, and that the proof pointed out UPR’s failures to properly manage the bedsore that occurred in the approximately four weeks that preceded her death."