Family Won Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Assisted Living Facility |MI Wrong Death Nursing Home Lawyers

Recently, a Sacramento Superior Court jury came back with a $23 million punitive damage award against Emeritus, which the jury three days earlier had already found guilty of malice, oppression and fraud in the death of Joan Boice. While Emeritus is seeking to appeal the verdict, the family of Boice believes compensation for their loss was rightfully won.

Joan Boice arrived at Emeritus at Emerald Hills in Auburn in September 2008, already suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.  By the time she left in December, she had developed bedsores. She died three months after moving out, with the sores listed as a significant condition leading to her death.

In a two-month trial, plaintiffs put on evidence that the Emerald Hills resident nurse told a caregiver at Emerald Hills who first found the sores to “just don’t let anybody know,” because the disclosure would have resulted in Mrs. Boice’s removal from the facility.

Along with understaffing and a lack of training, Emeritus’ retention policies designed to keep “heads in the beds” resulted from a corporate drive for profits that put the bottom line above residents’ care, according to the plaintiffs.

Our Michigan medical malpractice lawyers handle cases involving the wrongful deaths of patients for family members who have lost a loved one in a medical malpractice.  These lawsuits are filed against the hospital facility doctors, nurses, or surgeons whose negligence in their care of the patient caused a premature and untimely death. 

This type of lawsuit is brought under the Michigan Wrongful Death Statute.  The suits seek compensation for the family members and aim to prevent such a tragedy from happening to another patient.  Typically, the family will select a personal representative to bring the lawsuit for them.  Other family members still participate in the case and work together to assist the attorney. 

When the case settles, it is the judge who determines how much each family member will receive from the settlement.  The judge tries to make sure that everyone receives a fair share.  No settlement money can be distributed to anyone until a court order is entered by the judge specifying the payment to each family member.

If you or a family member suffered from nursing home neglect and abuse, you should contact the Michigan nursing home neglect firm of Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. immediately. Call us now at (800) 606-1717 to speak with one of our experienced Michigan nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers about your case.