The family of an Irwin man who died shortly after falling and fracturing his hip at an Oakmont nursing home is accusing the facility of neglect in his death.

The family of Charles Grice filed suit Thursday in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court against Presbyterian SeniorCare over operation of its nursing home, The Willows. The suit said Mr. Grice injured his hip when he fell while trying to get out of his wheelchair on Dec. 30, 2006. He died Jan. 12, 2007, at age 77 in a Penn Hills nursing home, where he was taken after surgery at UPMC Shadyside.

The suit contends the staff of The Willows failed to take necessary precautions with Mr. Grice's care even though he was assessed as being at high risk for falls. The injuries he suffered "contributed" to his death, according to the suit. It said he had entered the nursing home Dec. 11, 2006, for rehabilitation, intending afterward to return to a personal care home.

A spokeswoman for Presbyterian SeniorCare declined comment on the lawsuit, which she said the long-term care operator had not yet received.