A 91-year-old woman who had requested to be moved from her bed at a nursing home died from a cervical spine fracture after being dropped from a mechanical lift. A certified nurse aide began the process of placing her on the mechanical lift pad when she called for a second aide to assist. When told by the second aide that she first had to help another patient, the CNA began to transfer the patient without anyone's assistance. During the process, the mechanical lift tipped and caused the patient to fall, hitting her head on the bedside table before she landed on the concrete floor. Although the patient reportedly was moving around and breathing but in discomfort, paramedics arrived and were unable to help her. She was later pronounced dead at the scene.
$325,000
W. v. Franciscan Communities
