Elder Law

$42.75 Million Awarded To Family Following Nursing Home Neglect

By Levin & Perconti

The Lexington Herald-Leader reported the news last week of a mammoth jury verdict handed down in a case of nursing home neglect. The verdict was reached against Harborside of Madisonville, an extended care facility in Hopkins County following the death of a 92 year old resident.

The resident in question maintained an active lifestyle for most of his life. A farmer, he was still planting crops at his home with his wife until the age of 88. After suffering a stroke, his wife cared for him at their home for 8 months. It was only then that the family decided more advanced care was needed. To receive that care they chose to admit the man to Harborside to be in the hands of what they thought were professional caregivers.

He didn?t last long at the facility.

The victim only stayed at the negligent nursing home for a total of nine days, from March 25th 2008 until his death on April 5th 2008. The family of the resident filed a wrongful death neglect lawsuit against the nursing home the following year. The suit contended that staff at Harborside neglected the man in the few days while he was in his care; that poor service ultimately lead to his death.

Specifically it was contended that staff members failed to treat the victim in a variety of ways. They improperly managed his feeding tube, causing him to suffer severe dehydration and malnutrition. In addition, the resident was found suffering from infections and bedsores at the time of his passing.

Full post as published by Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Blog on November 22, 2010 (boomark / email).