Opinion ID: 2637002
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Count IIIDuffy Sullivan

Text: Sullivan, age seventy-four, suffered from Alzheimer's disease and required twenty-four-hour supervision prior to his admission to the Panther facility. On June 21, 1997, Vallery bathed Sullivan. She removed him from the bathtub and left him sitting on the commode seat next to the bathtub while she went downstairs to the laundry room to rinse out his clothing and get him clean clothing. Vallery testified that while she was doing this she heard water running upstairs. Vallery ran up the stairs and found Sullivan seated in the bathtub with his legs on each side of the bathtub. Vallery removed him from the bathtub and noticed that his buttocks were red. She put Sullivan in a hospital gown and took him to the hospital. Sullivan was diagnosed with second-degree scald burns on his lower extremities. The admitting physician testified that he was of the opinion that Sullivan was not properly supervised, based upon his needs as an Alzheimer's patient, and the severity of the wounds he sustained. The doctor indicated that people with advanced Alzheimer's cannot be left alone around potentially dangerous conditions. Vallery was aware, from a prior scalding incident in the same tub, that it was possible for residents to burn themselves, depending on how long they were immersed in the hot water. Vallery testified that she thought it was safe to leave Sullivan for a few minutes because he hated the tub and she never thought he would get into it voluntarily. Sullivan's family was informed that his mortality rate was 50 percent or greater, and that if he were to have a chance at life, he would have to be transferred to a Las Vegas burn unit for extensive, extremely painful treatment. Sullivan's wife declined to authorize the measures. Sullivan died seven days following the burn incident. An autopsy, which was performed on June 28, 1997, stated that Sullivan died from multiple organ failure as a result of burn wounds to the back, buttocks and thighs.