‘Entirely Avoidable’ Death of Disabled Man in Group Home Sparks Legal Action
A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against an Ohio group home, alleging that staff ignored weeks of distress signals before a resident died from a massive bowel obstruction that grew to weigh more than 20 pounds.
A History of Needs Ignored
James Stewart, a 41-year-old man with intellectual and developmental disabilities, passed away on 15 November 2024. According to the legal complaint seen by The Independent, Stewart had a known history of constipation and was taking medications with severe gastrointestinal side effects. He resided at the Clear Skies Ahead home in Bazetta Township because he required daily supervision and assistance.
The lawsuit contends that the home failed in its fundamental duty of care. It claims staff disregarded Stewart's repeated reports of abdominal pain and constipation over a significant period, neglecting to alert his medical providers or his family as his health rapidly declined. The legal action describes his death as "entirely avoidable."
The Final Weeks of Distress
In the days leading up to his death, Stewart's condition became visibly alarming. The legal filing states he had not had a bowel movement for several weeks to a month. Staff allegedly observed that he was unwell, his abdomen was distended, and his behaviour had become unusual.
He was described as appearing "despondent, low energy, and complaining of pain." Shockingly, the lawsuit claims there was bruising on his abdomen that would have been "noticeable upon any reasonable inspection." Despite these clear and escalating signs of a medical emergency, the suit alleges that Clear Skies staff and its contracted workers took no action to inform his doctor or his relatives.
A Tragic and Preventable Outcome
On the day he died, a staff member reportedly told Stewart to "sit on the toilet," but he was unable to have a bowel movement. Later that day, he was found unresponsive in his bedroom.
First responders noted his abdomen was significantly swollen, rigid to the touch, and had a discoloured line across it. Stewart was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The Trumbull County Coroner determined the cause of death was a colon obstructed by a hardened stool that weighed over 20 pounds. The immense internal pressure caused a condition called tension pneumoperitoneum, where gas is forced through microtears in the intestinal wall. "It caused pressure within his intestines that pushed air through the walls of his intestines and into the cavities of his body," a representative explained, "and that’s what killed him."
Remembered by his family as a man who loved music, swimming, concerts, and sporting events, James Stewart's death stands as a stark allegation of systemic failure in a setting meant to provide care and protection.
