Ricardo S. Mosby, as personal representative and administrator of the estate of Melvin Raybon, filed suit against, inter alia, appellant Tucker Nursing Center, Inc. asserting claims of negligence and violations of the Georgia Bill of Rights for Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities. In the complaint, as amended, plaintiff sought compensatory damages for pain, suffering and loss of dignity and special damages for medical expenses incurred as a result of Mr. Raybon’s treatment at subsequent health care facilities for a Stage IVdecubitus ulcer which developed on Mr. Raybon’s left buttocks while he was a resident at Tucker Nursing.1 The underlying facts will be set forth briefly and further developed to address the issues raised in this appeal. At the time Mr. Raybon was admitted to Tucker Nursing, he was at risk for developing pressure sores or ulcers because of underlying medical conditions, which included diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, a frontal lobe craniotomy performed to treat a brain tumor, amputation of his left leg, immobility and incontinence. Plaintiff contended that because of Mr. Raybon’s condition, Tucker Nursing had a duty to implement appropriate preventive measures, including frequent turnings and repositioning. However, plaintiff presented evidence at trial showing that Mr. Raybon was not regularly turned and repositioned as his condition required. Plaintiff also contended that once the ulcer developed on his left buttocks, Tucker Nursing did not appropriately assess and treat the ulcer, leading to numerous complications, including sepsis and malnutrition, requiring multiple hospitalizations and medical procedures, including a colostomy, the insertion of feeding tubes and surgical debridements of the wound. Additionally, plaintiff contended that because Mr. Raybon could not be positioned on his left side once he developed the pressure sore, he subsequently developed another pressure sore on his right side which required additional treatment.
A jury awarded the plaintiff $1,250,000 in special and compensatory damages, and the trial court entered judgment accordingly. Tucker Nursing appeals, challenging certain evidentiary rulings and portions of the trial court’s charge to the jury. We affirm.
