A 66-year-old Walmart greeter from Utah passed away after suffering serious bedsores while recovering at a nursing home, according to a lawsuit filed by her family.
They claim she did not receive proper care during her stay and believe negligence led to her death. The case has raised serious concerns about staffing and patient care in long-term rehabilitation centres.
Work Injury Led to Surgeries
Tamara “Tammy” Bircumshaw, a grandmother from Layton, first suffered a back injury while working. According to her son, Kenny Bircumshaw, she underwent back surgery to treat the injury.
After the back surgery, her health continued to worsen. She began facing issues with her hips and eventually needed hip replacement surgery. She was admitted to Rocky Mountain Care in Clearfield in July 2022 for rehabilitation after one of her hip surgeries.
The family expected her stay at the nursing facility to be short. The plan was for her to recover and then undergo surgery on her other hip.
Bedsores Developed Within Days
According to the family’s lawyer, Barry Toone, Tammy began developing bedsores just 11 days after being admitted to the facility. When she returned to the hospital for her second hip surgery, doctors reportedly cancelled the procedure because of a serious pressure sore.
Her son shared that the surgeon called the family directly from the operating room to inform them that the wound was too severe to continue with the surgery.
The lawsuit claims that Tammy later tested positive for MRSA, a serious bacterial infection, about a month after the cancelled surgery.
Severe Condition and Delayed Treatment
The family alleges that Tammy did not receive specialised wound care until December 27, 2022. By then, she had reportedly developed three bedsores, including a stage-4 pressure ulcer, which is the most serious level.
According to the lawsuit, one of the wounds measured 11 by 10 by 4 centimetres. The family’s lawyer described it as being roughly the size of two iPhones placed side by side.
Tammy later died in July 2023 from health complications related to the bedsores. Her family says she ultimately died from sepsis, a life-threatening infection that can happen when wounds become severely infected.
Family Alleges Neglect and Understaffing
The Bircumshaw family has accused Rocky Mountain Care of being chronically understaffed. They believe this lack of staff led to neglect and improper care during Tammy’s stay.
Kenny Bircumshaw said that when his mother first arrived at the facility, she was cheerful and hopeful. However, as her health declined, she was often in pain and became increasingly miserable.
He shared an emotional memory of her final hours, saying she told her grandson she loved him before passing away the next morning.
The nursing facility has not publicly commented on the allegations. Attempts to contact the centre for a response were unsuccessful.
Ongoing Legal Action
The family has filed a lawsuit against the nursing home, seeking accountability for what they describe as neglect. The case highlights the importance of proper staffing and quality care in rehabilitation centres, especially for elderly patients recovering from major surgeries.
Tammy’s story has deeply affected her family and community. They hope that by speaking out, similar incidents can be prevented in the future.
Proper medical attention, timely wound care, and enough trained staff are essential to protect vulnerable patients. The outcome of this lawsuit may bring attention to patient safety standards and the responsibilities of long-term care facilities.
