Nursing Home Abuse & Elder Abuse Lawsuit

An 82-year-old resident with limited mobility developed Stage 4 pressure ulcers on her sacrum and both heels over a six-week period. Nursing notes showed the resident was repositioned only twice daily despite a care plan requiring every-two-hour turns. The wound became infected with MRSA; the resident developed osteomyelitis and septicemia and died within three months. The jury found the facility engaged in willful misconduct and awarded $8M in compensatory damages and $17M in punitive damages, citing a corporate staffing policy that knowingly kept night shift CNA-to-resident ratios at 1:22.

A 76-year-old resident with Alzheimer's disease was physically assaulted by a CNA over multiple occasions documented by a hidden camera installed by the family. The perpetrator had two prior complaints in her personnel file that the facility failed to investigate. The jury awarded $4.5M in compensatory damages and $8M in punitive damages, with the court finding the facility's failure to investigate prior complaints constituted a reckless disregard for resident safety under California's Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act.

A 79-year-old resident fell from bed three times in 60 days; on the third fall he sustained a subdural hematoma requiring emergency craniotomy. He survived with permanent cognitive impairment and was discharged to a memory care facility. Evidence showed the bed alarm had been disabled by staff due to a shortage of batteries and the facility had a prior survey deficiency for fall prevention failures. Jury awarded $3.25M compensatory and $5.5M punitive. Settlement reached post-verdict before appeal.

A 71-year-old resident with diabetes and peripheral vascular disease developed a Stage 4 heel pressure ulcer that progressed to wet gangrene requiring below-knee amputation. Wound care notes showed six consecutive weeks of inadequate wound assessments. Expert testimony established that proper repositioning and a pressure-relieving heel boot — standard of care items — would have prevented progression. Jury found negligence and awarded $4.2M, including $1.8M for future care and adaptive equipment needs.

A 68-year-old resident with dementia went missing from a secure memory care unit and was found deceased in a drainage ditch 200 yards from the facility 14 hours after staff first noticed his absence. An investigation revealed the facility's secured door alarm had been out of service for three days without repair. The estate sued for wrongful death and the jury awarded $3.6M, finding the facility's failure to maintain security systems constituted gross negligence.

A 74-year-old resident was given a five-fold overdose of warfarin for three days due to a transcription error on her medication administration record. She suffered a gastrointestinal hemorrhage requiring transfusion and a 12-day hospitalization and sustained permanent kidney damage. Evidence at trial showed the facility had received prior survey citations for medication administration failures. Settlement reached during trial at $2.8M.

An 80-year-old resident with a documented swallowing disorder (dysphagia) aspirated on regular-texture food provided by a kitchen aide who was unaware of the thickened-liquid diet order. The resident developed aspiration pneumonia and died 11 days later. Evidence showed the care plan had not been communicated to dietary staff. Wrongful death settlement included $750K in economic damages and $1.2M for the family's loss of their mother's companionship and guidance.

A 77-year-old resident sustained a hip fracture after slipping on a wet bathroom floor that lacked non-slip safety strips despite a prior maintenance request. She underwent hip replacement surgery and was transferred to a rehabilitation facility for 90 days. At trial, plaintiff's expert established that the failure to address the known fall hazard was a breach of the standard of care and violated the facility's own written safety policies. Jury verdict included $650K economic and $700K non-economic damages.