Evelyn Sharp was a 90-year-old widow and mother of two who was in relatively goodhealth physically, but who was losing her mind to Alzheimer’s. Her daughter, Gayle Brandon, cared for her at home for as long as possible, but when Sharp startedwandering, Brandon knew it was time to find a nursing home that could provide the necessary care and oversight.

On April 28, 2008, Brandon moved her mother into Sherwood Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Inc., located at 245 Indian Bay Drive in Sherwood. By Nov. 14, 2008, Sharp was dead.

While at the nursing home, Sharp fell at least four times. The fourth time, she fractured her hip, which required surgery. During her stay she also suffered from dehydration, urinary tract infections, overmedication and more.

The nursing home staff knew when Sharp was admitted that she was at risk for falling. However, they did not implement any measures to protect her until after she had fallen there three times, according to a lawsuit filed against the facility. Even when they got the necessary equipment to protect her, they failed to use it, and that’s when she fell a fourth time, fracturing her hip.

Brandon filed the lawsuit against Sherwood Nursing & Rehabilitation Center and its owner, Michael Morton, for negligence, violation of Long Term Care Resident’s Rights Statute, and conduct constituting felony neglect of an endangered or impaired adult.

“Michael Morton created and promoted a corporate philosophy that sought to maximize profits at Sherwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center without regard for the law and public policy governing patient care and treatment and protecting residents like Evelyn McVay Sharp,” the lawsuit states.