Fla. judge says resident death is manslaughter

A Florida assisted living licensed practical nurse (LPN) has been charged with aggravated manslaughter for inadequately treating a resident’s pressure ulcers, resulting in the resident’s 2013 death. The charge, which includes culpable negligence, is a first-degree felony.

The 80-year-old resident of Bernadette’s ACLF in Hallandale Beach, Fla., who is identified only as "LD" in court documents, developed blisters and pressure ulcers on several parts of her body that were not treated appropriately and became infected. The resident, whose backside was eaten away by infection, eventually died in the hospital from sepsis, osteomyelitis and other factors.

Gail Victor, the 64-year-old LPN who ran the facility, "failed to adequately treat the victim’s ulcers, falsified nursing notes and did not properly document the size and stage of the ulcers," stated an attorney general’s office release. "In addition, Victor concealed the extent and severity of the ulcers from others involved in the victim’s care."

The facility has since closed. Victor’s trial date is forthcoming. She could face 30 years in prison if convicted.

Pamela Tabar

Pamela Tabar was editor-in-chief of I Advance Senior Care from 2013-2018. She has worked as a writer and editor for healthcare business media since 1998, including as News Editor of Healthcare Informatics. She has a master’s degree in journalism from Kent State University and a master’s degree in English from the University of York, England.