$200 Million Wrongful Death Verdict In Nursing Home Abuse Case

A Florida jury has just entered a $200 million negligence verdict against a company in charge of overseeing a nursing home. The jury determined that the company did not do enough to prevent a 92-year-old woman's fatal fall at a nursing home. The woman had left a group unnoticed for more than an hour, and was discovered at the bottom of an emergency exit stairwell, still strapped in her wheelchair. She died shortly after paramedics arrived on the scene. Evidence introduced at trial indicated that the nursing home was understaffed, and despite knowledge of the woman's tendencies to wander, failed to provide adequate care and allowed this tragedy to occur.

Nursing home abuse is a growing problem in San Francisco and throughout the country. Although the circumstances leading to this lawsuit occurred in Florida, elder abuse and nursing home neglect is widespread. If you believe a loved one is not receiving adequate treatment or is being abused or taken advantage of, it is important to consult with a San Francisco nursing home abuse attorney.

Many different categories of elder abuse exist including neglect, overmedication, physical and sexual abuse and financial exploitation. In some situations, both civil and criminal charges may be filed based on the conduct of staff at a nursing home.

Here, the Florida jury had been asked to "make a statement" and send a message to the company running the nursing home that they should take responsibility for bad care. The verdict represents $60 million in compensatory damages and $140 million in punitive damages.

For more information about elder abuse, or if you believe a loved one has suffered from neglect at a nursing home, please don't wait to act. Contact the dedicated California elder abuse lawyers at Bostwick & Peterson for a free, confidential consultation.