Daughter sues Friendswood nursing home over mother's death

GALVESTON - Miriam Davis is suing a Friendswood nursing home on allegations her mother died after falling numerous times, recent court documents say.

A lawsuit filed May 13 in Galveston County District Court faults Accelerated Care Plus Corp., doing business as Friendship Haven Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, for the death of Virginia Melghem on Dec. 27, 2009, from injuries reportedly linked to multiple falls.

The original petition states that "the defendant admitted and retained Virginia Melghem even though the defendant knew or should have known that it could not properly care for, monitor or supervise this resident and meet the resident's needs for safe care and treatment."

Melghem was admitted to the facility on Nov. 27, 2009. Davis claims she was told "that safe and proper care would be administered to this individual in a manner appropriate to her mental and physical condition," the suit says.

Davis contends Melghem sustained injuries and trauma including several falls, stating the defendant failed to provide competent and adequate staff and restraints. She adds the decedent fell three times and then broke her hip on Dec. 16, 2009.

The injuries from the most recent fall reportedly led to Melghem's death a week later.

Consequently, Davis seeks unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial.

She and Melghem's estate are represented by attorney Roy Camberg of Houston.

The case has been assigned to Galveston County 56th District Court Judge Lonnie Cox.

Case No. 11-cv-0789