CANFIELD, OH — The family of a Multiple Sclerosis patient who died in April 2025 has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Windsor House at Canfield, alleging nursing staff failed to provide basic care that resulted in fatal sepsis from infected pressure wounds.
According to court documents filed February 24, 2026, Judy Marsh of Austintown was admitted to the facility in December 2024 following hospitalization for pneumonia. The lawsuit states that Marsh, who used a wheelchair and could not reposition herself due to her MS, died approximately four months later from sepsis caused by severely infected pressure injuries.
The complaint alleges that nursing staff failed to reposition Marsh every two hours as required by her care plan, sometimes leaving her in the same position for days. Additionally, the lawsuit claims staff frequently left Marsh in soiled linens and adult diapers for extended periods without proper cleaning. Court records indicate that Marsh's pressure wounds became so severe they tunneled into her pelvis, exposing muscle and bone. Medical records cited in the lawsuit show her bones became infected with multiple bacteria, including E. coli.
Her daughter reported that within approximately one week of admission, Marsh complained that staff were not turning her properly. Despite repeated calls and visits requesting improved care, family members allege their concerns were dismissed with explanations about staffing shortages and competing duties like medication passes, as reported by WFMJ.
When family members noticed an unusual odor in Marsh's room and learned of a pressure wound, they were allegedly told the wound was healing and the smell came from medication under bandages. A subsequent hospital visit revealed the wounds had significantly worsened. According to the lawsuit, Marsh's condition deteriorated progressively, and she suffered a stroke, underwent debridement surgery, required a feeding tube that was later removed due to aspiration risk, and ultimately died in April 2025.
Windsor House has filed court documents denying the allegations of inadequate care. The facility's attorneys cited a court-issued gag order preventing them from commenting publicly on the litigation.
CMS Inspection History
Windsor House at Canfield holds a 3-out-of-5-star overall rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, with the most recent inspection conducted on June 25, 2024. The 96-bed, for-profit facility has received 27 deficiencies across 10 inspections in CMS records.
Notably, the June 2024 inspection—occurring approximately two months after Marsh's death—cited the facility for failing to provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing. Inspectors assigned this deficiency a scope and severity rating of "D," indicating a pattern of substandard care that had the potential for more than minimal harm.
The same inspection found additional deficiencies related to developing complete care plans with measurable actions and timetables, as well as providing treatment according to physician orders and resident preferences. An April 2024 inspection identified problems with safeguarding resident medical records, while a February 2024 survey cited the facility for failing to ensure the nursing home was free from accident hazards.
The facility currently maintains a 4-out-of-5-star staffing rating and a 3-out-of-5-star quality rating, according to CMS data. Federal regulations require nursing homes to provide care that prevents pressure ulcers and ensures residents who cannot reposition themselves receive appropriate assistance.
Ownership & Operations
Windsor House at Canfield operates as Canfield Acres LLC dba Windsor House at Canfield, structured as a for-profit corporation. The facility is licensed to operate 96 beds in Canfield, Ohio.
Resources for Families
Family members concerned about care quality at nursing homes in Ohio can contact the Ohio Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 1-800-282-1206. The ombudsman program provides free, confidential advocacy services for residents of long-term care facilities.
To report concerns about potential abuse, neglect, or substandard care at a Medicare or Medicaid-certified nursing home, families can contact the national hotline at 1-800-677-1116 or visit https://ltcombudsman.org for additional resources.
Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores or pressure injuries, are preventable complications that occur when sustained pressure reduces blood flow to the skin and underlying tissue. Federal regulations require nursing homes to assess residents for pressure ulcer risk and implement individualized prevention plans, including regular repositioning for immobile residents, appropriate support surfaces, proper nutrition and hydration, and meticulous skin care and hygiene.
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