April 21st, 2014
Dorothy Douglas was an Alzheimer’s patient who was admitted to a nursing home on September 4, 2009. Within three weeks, it is alleged that Mrs. Douglas was dehydrated, malnourished and largely unresponsive, and that she had fallen multiple times resulting in bruises and a head trauma. Mrs. Douglas died shortly thereafter.
Mrs. Douglas’ son, as plaintiff, sued the owner of the nursing home along with other, related companies that were responsible for budgeting and staffing at the home. The plaintiff brought the following legal claims: (1) a claim for medical negligence, (2) a claim for breach of fiduciary duty, and (3) a statutory claim arising under the NHA. The case proceeded to trial, and the jury awarded $11.5 million dollars in compensatory damages and $80 million in punitive damages.
