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North Carolina Care Operator Still Runs Jacksonville Facility Despite Wrongful Death Verdicts

Ron Burrell, the North Carolina care operator who has been ordered to pay some $5 million to two families whose loved ones died because of negligence at two of his facilities, still owns and operates the Alzheimer?s Related Care facility in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

The Alzheimer?s Related Care facility specializes in taking care of patients with dementia. The state of North Carolina, however, temporarily suspended admissions to the facility because of violations. The suspension followed a complaint by one of the residents that she had been raped and did not receive a medical exam until 68 days after the attack. Police were not notified that a sexual assault had occurred.

Burrell used to run some two dozen disabled and elder care facilities. A number of these homes been cited for numerous violations while under his supervision..

In 2003, a Meadows of Aberdeene resident died after going out drinking with another care facility patient. The patient stabbed him to death. A Rowan County home patient died in 2001 after not receiving the proper medication dosage.

Burrell, his partner Michael Elliott, and eight affiliated companies lost a $4 million wrongful death judgment in August. The lawsuit claimed that 85-year-old Eula Abernathy died because she was burned by hot bath water. The facility had been warned before the incident that the water heaters were set at temperatures that made the water too hot.

On November 7, a wrongful death verdict was issued that ordered Burrell to pay the family of 53-year-old Troy Stephens $836,075. Stevens, who was mentally challenged, wandered away from the Meadows of Garner home where he lived and drowned in a pond. Stevens? family had warned the assisted-living staff that he had a tendency to wander.

Nursing Home Abuse and Negligence
If someone you love has been injured due to abuse or negligence at a nursing home residence or an elder care facility in South Carolina or North Carolina, you should speak to an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer immediately.

Your nursing home neglect attorney can help you explore the legal options available to your loved one, who may be eligible for nursing home abuse or neglect compensation.

Some Possible Signs of residential care abuse include:

? Unexplained bruises
? Sudden weight gain
? Sudden weight loss
? Dehydration
? Bedsores
? Cuts or welts
? Emotional withdrawal

Care home owner still in business despite findings, Charlotte.com, December 2, 2007

Related Web Resources:

Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect, Nursing Home Alert

Deadly Neglect, Reader's Digest, December 2006

Full post as published by North Carolina Injury Lawyer Blog on December 03, 2007 (boomark / email).