Ohio Lawsuit Says Nursing Home Left Man With Undetected Spinal Fracture for 17 Hours After Fall

North Lima, OH — The family of a 64-year-old man who died after an unwitnessed fall at an Ohio nursing home has filed a wrongful death lawsuit, alleging staff failed to recognize signs of a catastrophic spinal injury for nearly 17 hours. The complaint claims those delays contributed to the rapid decline and eventual death of resident Craig Latchaw in December 2024.

Latchaw, who lived at Caprice Health Care Center in North Lima, allegedly fell while trying to get to the bathroom on Dec. 12, according to the filing. Two state-tested nursing assistants reportedly found him on the floor and called for a nurse. The complaint alleges that staff conducted only a brief assessment before lifting him back into bed, not realizing he may have suffered a serious neck injury.

Lawsuit Describes Missed Warnings and Delayed Response

Court filings say Latchaw had been identified as a high fall risk due to limited mobility, oxygen and tracheostomy dependence, pain management needs, and use of psychotropic medications. His family alleges the facility often left call lights unanswered, sometimes forcing relatives to search for help themselves — a pattern they say left Latchaw fearful of soiling himself while waiting.

According to the complaint, staff did not recognize Latchaw’s deteriorating condition until the next morning, roughly 17 hours after he was returned to bed. A nurse entering his room shortly before 8 a.m. on Dec. 13 allegedly found him lethargic and unable to respond.

Hospital Imaging Revealed Spinal Fracture

Emergency responders transported Latchaw to Mercy St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital, where he was noted to have respiratory issues, pneumonia, a fever and congestion, the lawsuit states. A CT scan reportedly revealed a new cervical spine fracture and misalignment of the C1 and C2 vertebrae.

Because of the severity of the injuries, Latchaw was placed in a cervical collar and transferred to MetroHealth Medical Center’s trauma division. Physicians later told his family that surgical repair carried a high likelihood of fatal complications, according to the complaint. Latchaw was moved to hospice care and died on Dec. 23, 2024.

The Mahoning County Coroner ruled the cause of death as complications from a cervical fracture following an unwitnessed fall, and classified the manner of death as accidental.

Family Challenges Facility’s Response

The lawsuit says that when relatives questioned how the fall occurred, the facility’s director of nursing told them Latchaw “had a right to fall,” a comment the family characterizes as dismissive of his known vulnerabilities.

Attorney Michael Hill, who represents the family, said the complaint reflects larger concerns about decision-making within the facility. He argues that corporate policies resulted in inadequate staffing and monitoring, though those claims have not been tested in court.

“This case is about the choices that were made and the risks that were ignored,” Hill said, adding that the family relied on assurances that Caprice Health Care Center would provide the supervision Latchaw required.

The lawsuit seeks a jury trial and damages for alleged negligence, recklessness, and disregard for resident safety. Caprice Health Care Center did not respond to a request for comment, according to industry reports.