Nursing Home Resident Dies After Being Fed Dishwashing Liquid
Jeffrey A. Pitman · September 6, 2022
Jeffrey A. Pitman
partner
An elderly woman living in a California nursing home died after being fed dishwashing liquid instead of juice. Two other residents at the home were also served dishwashing liquid. They survived, but were hospitalized for injuries caused by ingesting the toxic chemicals.
The victim, Gertrude Elizabeth Murison Maxwell, was a 93-year-old resident living at Atria Park, a senior living facility in San Mateo, California. Her daughter, Marcia Cutchin, says her mother suffered from dementia and needed assistance to eat and drink. Cutchin stated that, “You have to hold a cup to her mouth and tip it into her mouth.”
According to a CNN report, the poisoning occurred when an employee served the dish soap to Maxwell and two other residents. Atria Park stated that they immediately suspended the staff involved in the incident, pending an investigation.
Dishwashing Liquid Ingestion Led to Fatal Chemical Burns
After ingesting the dishwashing liquid, Maxwell was taken to the hospital with severe blistering of the esophagus and throat. According to Cutchin, the complex told her the alkaline dishwashing solution eats protein.
Cutchin says her mother’s children and grandchildren are grieving the loss of Maxwell. The bizarre twist is that Cutchin and her family chose Atria because it had a good reputation.
According to a report in The Guardian, this fatal incident only further magnifies the vulnerability of nursing home residents. Currently there are approximately 800,000 residents in the U.S. who live in long-term care facilities.
An Investigation Into the Incident is Ongoing
Both police and the state department of social services are investigating the incident to find out how this could have happened. Atria claims it is also conducting an internal investigation into the matter.
According to the California Department of Social Services Ombudsman, the facility is fully cooperating with police.
Call Our Trusted Law Firm to Discuss Your Situation
If your loved one in a nursing home has been injured due to a horrible mistake or outright neglect, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your damages.
Our experienced nursing home lawyers in Wisconsin at PKSD are fully prepared to help residents who have been harmed by neglect or abuse.
Contact our law offices anytime, night or day, to request your free case review. This meeting is completely confidential and there is no risk to hire our services. If we do represent you, there are no upfront costs or fees for you to pay.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, please fill out the form below or call us at (414) 333-3333.
No obligation. Available 24/7
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorney Jeffery A. Pitman, who has more than 28 years of legal experience and handled thousands of personal injury cases while obtaining millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements in Wisconsin.
Key Takeaways Wisconsin nursing home negligence claims may include compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other documented losses. Settlement value depends on...
Key Takeaways Elder abuse includes physical, emotional, sexual, and financial harm, as well as neglect of vulnerable older adults in care facilities. Medical records,...
Key Takeaways Wisconsin law requires nursing homes to administer medications and treatments exactly as ordered by an authorized prescriber. Not every deviation from a...
About Us
PKSD is a Milwaukee personal injury law firm dedicated to helping injured individuals. We take a hands-on, client-focused approach and work closely with the people we represent from start to finish. We are committed to providing responsive service and strong legal advocacy when it matters most.
Areas We Serve
PKSD proudly serves clients throughout the state of Wisconsin. We represent individuals and families in Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Appleton, Eau Claire, Wausau, and surrounding areas. No matter where you are located, our team is ready to help.
We’re Available 24/7 to Schedule Your Free Consultation