by Layton, Utah – The family of a 66-year-old Walmart greeter has filed a lawsuit against a Clearfield nursing facility, alleging neglect and chronic understaffing led to her developing severe bedsores that ultimately contributed to her death.
Tamara “Tammy” Bircumshaw, a grandmother from Layton, died in July 2023 from complications her family says were linked to advanced pressure ulcers she developed while recovering at Rocky Mountain Care in Clearfield.
Her son, Kenny Bircumshaw, claims the facility failed to properly care for his mother after she was admitted for rehabilitation following hip surgery.
“Total neglect on their end is what ended up taking her,” Kenny Bircumshaw said in an interview with a local television station.
Injury led to surgery and rehab stay
According to the family, Tammy initially suffered a work-related back injury while employed as a Walmart greeter. After undergoing back surgery, she later required hip replacement surgery due to complications.
Following one hip procedure in July 2022, she was admitted to Rocky Mountain Care for short-term rehabilitation while awaiting surgery on her second hip.
Family members say her health began to decline shortly after her admission.
“At first she was really happy, cheery. Then, when she started declining, she was in pain and just miserable,” her son said.
Bedsores developed within days, lawsuit alleges
The family’s attorney, Barry Toone, said it took just 11 days for Tammy to begin developing bedsores after arriving at the facility.
When she returned to the hospital for her second hip surgery, doctors allegedly canceled the procedure due to the severity of the pressure wound.
“The surgeon called us from the operating room saying that he couldn’t do the surgery because she had too big of a pressure sore,” Kenny Bircumshaw said.
According to the lawsuit, Tammy tested positive for MRSA approximately one month after the surgery was canceled.
The complaint alleges that she did not begin receiving specialized wound care until Dec. 27, 2022, when she was diagnosed with a stage-4 pressure ulcer. By that time, she had developed three bedsores.
Toone described one wound as measuring 11-by-10-by-4 centimeters, roughly the size of two iPhones placed side by side. He said Tammy ultimately died from sepsis, a life-threatening infection that can occur when wounds become severely infected.
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Allegations of chronic understaffing
The lawsuit accuses Rocky Mountain Care of being chronically understaffed, which the family claims led to inadequate monitoring, repositioning and treatment.
“She just laid there and was miserable… for her last day of life,” Kenny Bircumshaw said. “She told my son she loved him. That was the one and only thing that she said the whole entire night, and she passed away in the morning.”
The family is seeking damages, alleging negligence contributed to Tammy’s suffering and death.
Facility response not detailed
The lawsuit names Rocky Mountain Care as the defendant, though the facility’s response to the allegations has not been detailed in publicly available reports.
As with all civil cases, the allegations outlined in the lawsuit represent the family’s claims and have not been proven in court.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about staffing levels and quality of care in long-term rehabilitation and nursing facilities.
What are your thoughts on oversight and staffing requirements in nursing homes? Share your perspective respectfully in the comments below.
