$50 Million Settlement In Nursing Home Negligence Case
In one of the nation’s largest nursing home negligence settlements ever, Skilled Healthcare Group Inc. has agreed to a $50 million settlement of a class-action lawsuit. Earlier this summer, a jury had awarded the plaintiffs $670 million after finding the company liable for understaffing its nursing homes throughout California. The jury found that the staffing levels at Skilled Healthcare’s nursing homes were insufficient and illegal, endangering its residents. The class included 32,000 people, including the families of residents who died as a result of the neglect.
As our population ages, nursing home abuse cases have increased. When a patient is placed in a nursing home, it is often because the patient is unable to care for him or herself. We expect that nursing home staff and owners will take extra care to provide a safe environment that promotes health and well-being of elderly residents. When the nursing home fails to meet this standard and their actions lead to injury or wrongful death, the nursing home is guilty of nursing home abuse.
In the Skilled Healthcare matter, understaffing led to horrific instances of neglect and abuse.
Nursing home abuse is a particularly odious form of medical malpractice because the victims are often unable to speak up for themselves and accuse the abusers. Often it is only through the observation of family members or visitors who suspect something is wrong, and demand an investigation, that the wrongdoing comes to light.
If you or a loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse, contact the attorneys at Bostwick & Peterson, LLP to find out how we can help.
