Suit alleges rehab center allowed patient to fall

Two months after falling and breaking his hip while a patient at Healthsouth Rehabilitation Center-Beaumont, Roland LeBoeuf died.

Now his wife, Rowena LeBoeuf, is claiming the rehab center contributed to his death by allowing him to fall, court papers show.

Seeking monetary compensation for Roland's death, Rowena filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against Healthsouth Aug. 20 in Jefferson County District Court.

Court documents show LeBoeuf was admitted to Healthsouth on April 2, 2007, for rehabilitation following an auto accident.

Although he was assessed by Healthsouth for being at high risk for falls, the rehab center and its personnel allegedly failed to follow its own fall precautions and procedures.

"While a patient at Healthsouth � LeBoeuf sustained a fall during physical therapy and broke his hip," the suit says.

"The fall resulted in a broken hip which required surgery. Roland LeBoeuf never recovered from the broken hip and ultimately died on June 12, 2007."

The suit continues by alleging Healthsouth negligently failed to properly care for LeBoeuf and prevent his fall.

Rowena is suing for Roland's past and future pain, mental anguish and medical expenses, plus loss of consortium and all court expenses.

She is represented by Mitchell Toups, a partner in the Weller, Green, Toups & Terrell law firm.

The case has been assigned to Judge Bob Wortham of the 58th Judicial District.

Case No. A182-255