Cynthiana nursing home lawsuit alleges negligence led to patient’s leg amputation

CYNTHIANA, Ky. (WKYT) - A lawsuit alleges a patient’s leg was amputated after his condition worsened during a stay at a Cynthiana nursing home.

Lawrence Cline and his legal team have filed a lawsuit against Edgemont Healthcare in Cynthiana. Attorney Lee Coleman said negligence and air-conditioning issues played a role in what happened to his client.

Cline was admitted to Edgemont Healthcare on May 19. Coleman said at the time of his admission, Cline entered the facility with a small scab on his left heel, smaller than a dime.

Less than two months later, the attorney said his client’s condition had drastically changed.

“His left heel had been eaten away almost. He developed a massive pressure sore. He was not treated properly in our opinion and it should have not happened,” Coleman said.

Coleman said the situation was made worse by the indoor conditions present at the facility.

“Edgemont lost their HVAC. All those residents there had to stay in those conditions,” Coleman said.

In July, Cline was taken from the facility to a hospital where his leg had to be amputated due to maggots, according to the lawsuit.

“If you want to get to brass tacks — yeah, the nursing home was negligent. They didn’t provide the care he needed,” Coleman said.

State inspectors cited the facility last summer for problems like inadequate staffing, resident injuries and a broken air conditioner. The facility was fined more than $100,000.

Coleman said the lawsuit is now his client’s only path to accountability, which includes seeking compensation for what Cline went through.

“They are difficult cases. They fight them. There are sometimes limited resources,” Coleman said.

In a written response filed in court, Edgemont Healthcare denied the claims made in the lawsuit. The administrator called for the claims to be dismissed.

The nursing home has yet to respond to a request for comment.