Keller v. LifeCare of Greenville, Lawsuit Challenges Involuntary Medic... Legal Advocacy

Lawsuit Filed Challenging Involuntary Medication of Long-Term Residents

Read and AARP Foundation Litigation attorneys represent Robin Keller who alleges that a Tennessee nursing facility administered unnecessary psychotropic drugs to her father without first securing the informed consent from him or his family.

Background

Bobby Tweed was admitted to LifeCare Center of Greeneville for the treatment of mild to moderate dementia. The nursing facility began to administer powerful psychotropic medications to Mr. Tweed even though those drugs bear an explicit warning advising against their use for treatment of elderly patients with dementia-related symptoms. His health deteriorated and he died of renal failure less than a year after his admission to LifeCare. His daughter, Robin Tweed Keller, alleges that the medications were administered to him without her consent (as Mr. Tweed’s power of attorney), and without medical justification.

Keller sued the facility alleging medical battery, which is defined in Tennessee law as performing a medical procedure without consent. She is represented in the litigation by AARP Foundation Litigation and the private law firm of Kennerly, Montgomery & Finley PC.

What s at Stake

The administration of psychotropic medication without medical justification and without fully informed consent is a critical problem in today’s treatment of older people, particularly in long term care and nursing facilities. It jeopardizes the mental and physical health of patients, increases their isolation, and also increases the costs of care to both individuals and to government health care programs. Residents in nursing facilities and their family members must ask about all medications they are being administered by the facility so that they can ensure that the side effects and alternatives to such drugs are fully considered.

Case Status

Keller v. LifeCare of Greenville is before the Circuit Court for Greene County, Tennessee.

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