A new lawsuit has been filed against Belair Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, a Guardian Healthcare skilled nursing facility located in Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania. The lawsuit was filed by the law firm of Robert Peirce & Associates on behalf of the family and Estate of Marianne Bower, a resident whose death was directly caused by the facility’s Assistant Director of Nursing, Heather Pressdee.
The lawsuit alleges that Belair failed to conduct an appropriate background check on Pressdee before hiring her, despite her history of abusive behavior towards residents and staff at previous healthcare facilities. After Pressdee’s hiring, there were rumors that her direct-care residents were deteriorating suddenly and unexpectedly, and other members of the nursing staff had voiced their concerns. However, instead of investigating these suspicions, Belair’s administration disciplined the nurses for discussing them.
Additionally, the Pennsylvania Department of Health had cited Belair in August 2021 for various failures, including failing to assess and document changes in residents’ blood sugar levels, failing to notify physicians of changes in residents’ conditions, and failing to follow physicians’ orders. Despite these deficiencies, Pressdee remained in her position as Assistant Director of Nursing.
Tragically, several weeks later, Pressdee administered a fatal dose of insulin to Ms. Bower, who was not diabetic and not prescribed insulin. This incident led to Ms. Bower’s death. Pressdee has since been charged with criminal homicide in relation to events that occurred at another skilled nursing facility.
The lawsuit alleges that the actions of the defendants, including Belair Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center and several Guardian Healthcare Defendants, caused or contributed to Ms. Bower’s death. The law firm of Robert Peirce & Associates is seeking justice for the family and Estate of Marianne Bower, and hopes to bring attention to the failure of Belair Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center and Guardian Healthcare to adequately investigate Pressdee’s background.
Sources:
– Robert Peirce & Associates