Family accuses hospital of letting patient starve
Suit says dentures never returned
The family of a songwriter has filed a lawsuit against a New York City hospital alleging that the elderly man died of starvation after the hospital lost his dentures.
Julius Dixson was a successful 1950s songwriter, best known for co-writing hits such as "Lollipop," recorded by the Chordettes. On Jan. 16, 2004, at 90 years old, he underwent surgery for a broken hip at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital, according to information released by the family's attorney, Mitchel Ashley, JD, of New York City.
The family alleges that Dixson's dentures were removed before surgery and then never returned. For two weeks after surgery, the man lost weight and became dehydrated because, according to the family, he was given food that required chewing. The family claims that they expressed concern to doctors and nurses but were rebuffed.
An autopsy determined that Dixson died from "metabolic complications of weight loss and dehydration," Ashley reports. A spokesman for the hospital released a statement saying the patient's treatment was "completely appropriate."
The lawsuit was filed against the hospital and two doctors, and it claims negligence.
Source
For more information on the Dixson lawsuit, contact:
- Mitchel Ashley, JD, Shandell, Blitz, Blitz & Bookson, 150 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10038. Telephone: (212) 513-1300.
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