Ludlow doc sued for malpractice, case ‘almost identical’ to one filed against him in ’22
SPRINGFIELD — A Ludlow physician is one of the defendants in a lawsuit that claims he could've prevented an older woman's death from "blunt force trauma" from her repeated falls at a senior care facility.
Janet C. Ladge was an 83-year-old woman who had dementia and a history of falling. She died last August after a fall at the Agawam East Rehab and Nursing facility in Pittsfield — the third fall in a matter of weeks, a legal complaint filed last week in Hampden Superior Court says.
On July 16, 2024, Ladge experienced the first fall. She was taken to Baystate Medical Center for evaluation. After she was discharged, she was transferred to the Pittsfield senior care center, which specializes in memory care for older adults.
Ladge was diagnosed with vascular dementia, a type of dementia that affects blood flow to the brain, the complaint says.
Dr. Rami Ashkar, an internal medicine practitioner based in Ludlow, worked at the facility and was in charge of Ladge's care. He allegedly evaluated her and determined her medical plan, the complaint said.
Kathleen Stark, the representative for Ladge's estate, claims Ashkar failed to cite Ladge's history of falling in his notes and that he did not implement any fall precautions, the lawsuit says. The lawsuit names Ashkar, the facility, and two other unnamed physicians — Jane and John Doe — as defendants.
After being seen by Ashkar, Stark alleges Ladge was seen by a physical therapist, who said Ladge needed assistance, including moving about with staff aiding her, the complaint said.
On July 28, 2024, a week after Ashkar evaluated her, Ladge again fell, the complaint said. The complaint alleges she was wearing her own socks, not no-slip socks, and that she was found on the floor with her head between a night stand and the bed. She also had a cut on her left leg, the complaint said.
Two days later, Ladge experienced another fall. This one she did not recover from, the complaint said. The medical examiner who evaluated Ladge ruled that her death was because of "blunt force trauma due to multiple falls," according to an exhibit in the complaint.
Ashkar and the nursing facility are accused of negligence, wrongful death and a third claim, which holds the facility responsible for Ashkar's and other doctors' actions prior to Ladge's death.
Stark is being represented by Holyoke attorney Shawn P. Allyn .
"This case is almost identical to one filed a few years ago," said Allyn on Tuesday. "My client fell three times, and there was no safety plan in place. Someone should look into his training."
Ashkar has been licensed to practice medicine in Massachusetts since 2002, per the state's Board of Registration in Medicine. The board's database shows there have been no criminal or disciplinary actions taken against the doctor in the 23 years that he has been licensed.
Allyn said his clients also had filed a report against Ashkar with the board.
No attorney has been listed for Ashkar yet, and Ashkar has not yet responded to the complaint. Ashkar was not immediately available for comment.
Stark is requesting a jury trial.
Another similar case
This case mirrors another lawsuit filed against Ashkar filed three years ago. Kathleen Leo, the representative of the estate of Janet Daly, sued Ashkar and Heritage Hall West, a memory care facility in Agawam, for negligence.
Daly was in her mid-80s when she died as a result of falling while under Ashkar's care, that lawsuit alleged.
A judge this month ordered the facility to pay the estate $250,000, according to the court docket. About two weeks ago, the facility filed for bankruptcy, the docket said.
Boston attorney Julia L. Griffith was his representation. Griffith did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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Read the original article on MassLive .
