Family of man who died from septic shock files lawsuit against Whetstone Care Center

COLUMBUS (WCMH) -- A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed in connection with a case of alleged patient neglect at the Whetstone Care Center. James Chandler died as a result of septic shock at the nursing home on March 5, 2017 at the age of 57.

The lawsuit, filed Monday, alleges that patient neglect led Chandler to develop a massive bedsore.

Chandler’s sister, Melisa Pierson, says the family was shocked to learn the severity of the bedsore. “You’re trusting where they’re at that they’re getting the care that they need,” Pierson said. “We didn’t have any reason to believe that he wasn’t getting the care that he needed. So to find out that the bed wounds were as bad as they were, it’s just really a shock to all of us.”

Earlier this month a Franklin County grand jury indicted three nurses from the Whetstone Care Center on charges of involuntary manslaughter, gross patient neglect and patient neglect as a result of failing to get the patient timely medical treatment. The three nurses are Sandra Blazer, Jessica Caldwell and Kimberly Potter. They are scheduled for a court appearance March 4.

The case was investigated by the Medicaid Fraud Section of the Ohio Attorney General's Office. "This case goes to the heart of protecting the unprotected," Attorney General Yost said earlier this month. "This man literally rotted to death.” “This is gut-wrenching for anyone who has entrusted a care facility with the well-being and safety of a loved one."

The lawsuit alleges medical negligence, wrongful death and a violation of Nursing Home Resident's Rights.

Ryan Stubenrauch, a spokesman for the nursing home, issued the following statement:

“Understandably, Mr. Chandler’s family is upset about his tragic death in 2017. We were also upset to learn that a former resident of our facility had died. However, Mr. Chandler’s death was not caused by the care he received at our facility two years ago. He passed away in the hospital after a five-day stay there after leaving our facility. As always, the health, safety, and well-being of our residents remains our number one priority.”

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Family of man who died from septic shock files lawsuit against Whetstone Care Center