As the population of the United States collectively ages, the demand for proper nursing home and managed-care facilities will only continue to increase as it has in recent years. While that may bode well for some business interests, it’s already showing signs of a growing problem as the number of people continues to increase. The latest example was laid out in San Diego this week when the jury in an elder-care facility lawsuit reached a verdict that awarded $1,300,000.00 to an injured plaintiff.
According to the San Diego Union-Tribune:
“The case stemmed from a lawsuit filed in January 2008 on behalf of Elaine Stinson against Leisure Palms, where Stinson had been a resident. The two-week trial ended Monday in Vista Superior Court.
In October 2006, Stinson – then 82 – was placed at the six-bed facility by her husband, Alvin, who was 10 years older. She suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease and was recovering from hip surgery.
According to the lawsuit, Elaine Stinson fell at Leisure Palms on Dec. 31, 2006, and suffered a head contusion, broken ribs and a punctured lung. Caregivers at the Morro Road facility placed her in bed but did not immediately call her doctor or family.
The next morning, her husband found her nonresponsive. He called 911 and Stinson was taken to a hospital where she underwent surgery.
Stinson recovered over the next 10 months in a nursing facility. She now lives in an elder-care facility in Murrieta. Her husband died in 2007.”
Unfortunately, cases like this one are becoming all too common as the pool of quality employees for this type of work remains shallow at best. If you or someone you love has been injured in an elder-care facility, contact the personal injury lawyers at the Phillips National Injury Group today to schedule a free initial consultation.
Fri, Jun 19, 2009
Personal Injury, Slip and Fall