An elder neglect and wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against Valley Convalescent Hospital in Bakersfield after an 80-year-old patient died from a fractured vertebrae.

Family attorney Neil Gehlawat says the hospital promised the family of Robert Hopkins a plan was in place to prevent bed sores and falls. Hopkins spent a week in the hospital, returned to the skilled nursing facility and died the following day. The lawyer for Valley Convalescent said he had not seen the complaint and could not comment.

Chuck Allen