Vosseler Abogados, representing the family of the deceased EMG, has joined the case as a private prosecutor in the proceedings before the Barcelona Courts of Instruction. This legal action stems from the tragic incident that occurred in February 2024 , in which a frail 70-year-old patient (admitted for a tracheostomy and pneumonia) suffered extremely severe burns while bathing at the facility. These injuries ultimately led to his death.
The facts
The patient was admitted to Bellvitge Hospital on January 4, 2024, due to pneumonia . After a long period of hospitalization, he was already in the recovery phase. But on February 13, 2024, the hospital informed the family that the man had suffered a "severe burn" while showering.
According to the medical record and the claim, the second-degree burns affected approximately 18% of his body:
- Both arms and hands in their entirety.
- The entire front part of the torso (chest and abdomen).
- The front part of both legs.
Due to the magnitude of the injuries and the lack of specific resources at Bellvitge Hospital to treat this type of injury, the patient was urgently transferred to the Burn Unit of Vall d'Hebron Hospital.
Fatal outcome
Despite the efforts of the plastic surgery team and the ICU at Vall d'Hebron Hospital, the patient's condition worsened due to the organ damage caused by the second-degree burns, which began to deepen. After undergoing surgery on February 21, the patient suffered multiple organ failure and ultimately passed away on February 28, 2024.
Responsibilities
Vosseler Abogados bases its accusation regarding the death of a patient from burns on the clear lack of due care on the part of the staff at Bellvitge Hospital. Therefore, the law firm demands an immediate investigation.
- circumstances exact instances where burns of such magnitude occurred in a leading hospital setting.
- La identity of responsible personnel who accompanied (or was supposed to accompany) the deceased during the shower.
- The possible situation of helplessnessSince the patient had a tracheostomy, which completely prevented him from calling for help or alerting anyone to the pain while the injuries were occurring.
"It is incomprehensible that a patient under hospital custody could suffer injuries of this severity during an everyday act such as personal hygiene," explains Daniel Salvador, a lawyer from Vosseler Abogados who legally represents the EGM family. "We seek justice for the family and answers as to how a hygiene protocol could end in a tragedy of this nature."
