Professional Negligence Law Reporter

Dolores Meade, 74, was admitted to Suburban Woods Health & Rehabilitation Center. Care plans, including requiring one-to-one feeding, were initiated for Meade, who had a history of dysphagia and dementia. The following month, Meade was found unresponsive with food in her mouth. She was diagnosed as having aspiration pneumonia and treated with antibiotics and other care. Nevertheless, she was transferred to hospice and died of cardiopulmonary arrest, aspiration pneumonia, and dementia several weeks later. Meade is survived by her five adult children.

Meade’s estate sued Suburban Woods and related entities, alleging claims for wrongful death, survival, negligence, vicarious liability, and corporate liability. Among other things, the plaintiff asserted that the defendants failed to prevent aspiration pneumonia and implement a comprehensive care plan.

The parties settled for $425,000.

Citation: Brewer v. Suburban Woods Health & Rehab. Ctr., No. 2018-21797 (Pa. Ct. Com. Pl. Montgomery Cnty. Aug. 1, 2024).

Plaintiff counsel: Jeffrey M. Rosenbaum, Philadelphia.