Woman files wrongful death suit against nursing home

SOUTHPORT -- A Southport woman says a local nursing home is responsible for her mother's death and now she wants the home to pay.

Friday the victim's daughter filed a lawsuit against the Ocean Trail Convalescent Center in Southport saying one of its nursing home's workers is responsible for her mother's death.

According to the lawsuit an employee dropped 87-year-old Willa Martin at the Ocean Trail Center January 4.

The lawsuit says Martin fell about four feet and hit her head on the concrete floor and died three days later from her injuries.

Martin's daughter's attorney says, the family wants the nursing home and the employee who dropped Martin to pay more than $10,000 for funeral costs and the family's pain and suffering.

Troy Slaughter is the family's attorney. He said, "Mrs. Martin was a double-amputee. The employee was lifting Mrs. Martin when she fell and hit her head on the concrete floor. Three days later she died."

Now Martin's family wants the nursing home and the employee who allegedly dropped Martin to pay.

"The family is only asking for funeral costs, pain and suffering, etc.," Slaughter said. "No one wants to see their mother or father killed this way. It causes a great deal of suffering."

According to the Department of Health and Services it's not the first time a formal complaint has been filed against Ocean Trail.

In June of 2006 a complaint filed found isolated deficiencies in the facility that possibly posed threats of minimum harm.

Ocean Trail administrators are not commenting on the lawsuit. The company and the employee named in the suit have thirty days to respond.

Ocean Trail's administrator refused to comment on the lawsuit or on if the employee who dropped martin still works at the nursing home.