MARYSVILLE — The family of a woman who was treated at the Marysville Care Center is suing the nursing home, claiming that the treatment she received there was negligent and led to her death.
The wrongful-death suit, filed in Snohomish County Superior Court, says that Violet Riddle, 74, was admitted to the nursing home Oct. 6, 2012, for occupational and physical therapy. Her medical diagnoses included chronic liver and kidney disease, according to the lawsuit.
During her stay, she became acutely dehydrated, experiencing agitation, hallucinations and confusion, the lawsuit says. She also was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection.
“This was dementia brought on by dehydration,” said Edmonds attorney Brian Leonard, who filed the suit on behalf of Riddle’s husband. The couple were married for 55 years.
“She went from a plan of occupational rehabilitation to go home to being in an acute state of distress and emergency hydration,” Leonard said.
Riddle was admitted to Providence Regional Medical Center Everett for treatment of acute dehydration a week after arriving at the nursing home, according to the lawsuit. She returned to the nursing home Oct. 20, 2012, and died 11 days later, on Nov. 1.
Riddle’s family had a strong suspicion that her death was “very wrong and very avoidable,” Leonard said.
John Hovey, executive director of the Marysville Care Center, said in a statement that because of federal patient privacy regulations “we are unable to discuss any details of this matter.
“As this case moves forward, we will continue to focus on providing compassionate health care services to our residents,” the statement adds.
Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com.
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