$600,000 Recovered for Grandchildren of 92-Year-Old who Died in Residential Care Facility for the Elderly From Morphine Overdose
The Zinn Law Firm had the honor of representing the surviving grandchildren (and great grandchildren) of a vital 92-year old woman who died at a residential care facility for the elderly due to a morphine overdose.
The elder was very able-bodied and traveled by air twice a year to see her grandchildren and several great grandchildren in Southern California. She required assisted living because she experienced significant back pain.
When her pain worsened, her physician prescribed her morphine to treat the intensifying pain. Unfortunately, the prescription the physician wrote called for sustained release morphine to be given, which is to be taken once every twelve hours, but the dosage instruction was to take the medication three times a day, which is the correct dosage for quick release morphine.
As a result, the medication was releasing on top of additional doses, causing the elder to experience toxic levels of morphine within a couple of days.
The elder had trouble breathing and showed numerous signs of distress as her morphine toxicity increased. The caregivers at the facility called the physician, but he did not return calls over the weekend.
Rather than calling 911 or calling for other medical guidance, the caregivers went all weekend doing nothing. The elder passed away from morphine poisoning that Monday. The Zinn Law Firm obtained a $600,000 settlement on behalf of the elder’s surviving grandchildren and great-grandchildren, even though her life expectancy at 92 was not very long. The facility and the physician both contributed to the settlement.