The family of a 72-year-old man has won nearly $1.8 million in damages against a Florida nursing home for neglect and inadequate care leading to his death.
George Dahmer, the victim, was a popular professional wrestler from the 1950s up until the 1980s, and was known as Chief White Owl.
In 2008, he suffered from end-stage senile dementia, and was brought to the Lake Worth Manor nursing home. Within months, he was dead after developing painful ulcers and infections.
Families of patients who are injured or die as a result of substandard care at a Florida nursing home may be entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit or wrongful death lawsuit seeking financial compensation.
Earlier this week, The Palm Beach County civil trial jury determined that instead of enjoying his retirement, 72-year-old George Dahmer died on May 23, 2008 due to Lake Worth nursing home’s neglect.
The Orlando Sentinel reported that jurors ordered that Lake Worth Manor pay almost $1.8 million in damages to Dahmer’s estate. Presently, the facility located at 1201 12th Ave. South is known as Oasis Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Lake Worth Enterprises, LLC, which is the corporation that owns Oasis, released a statement later on that expressed its heartfelt sympathy to the family of George Dahmer. However, it also suggested a possible appeal.
Evidence submitted during the trial showed that Mr. Dahmer declined rapidly after entering the Florida nursing home and being diagnosed with end-stage senile dementia. In two months, the once-stocky wrestler lost 32 pounds and the ability to walk or talk.
His family testified that neglect by the Lake Worth Manor staff caused Mr. Dahmer to suffer painful decubitis ulcers on his heels and tailbone that became infected and ultimately led to his death.
The family also said they were never told about his bedsores, a fall from a wheelchair, the loss of his dentures and other incidents. They complained of getting “the runaround” and said all of their expressions of concern “fell on deaf ears,” according to the Orlando Sentinel.
The deceased’s son said he didn’t find out about the extent of his father’s injuries until he was transferred to another facility. Photos were taken to document his wounds and preserve the proof of his mistreatment.
The Florida nursing home neglect attorneys at Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney, obtained a $555,000 settlement in a nursing home death.
In that case, his family found an 86-year-old patient with severe bedsores on his heels and buttocks as a result of the staff’s failure to turn him. The bedsores were so severe that bones protruded through his skin. After many attempts to get the attention of the staff and after ringing the call button for hours, the man was found lying in his own urine and feces. The man died due to multiple injuries.
Signs of Florida elder care abuse or nursing home neglect might include visible wounds, cuts or bruises; bedsores; sudden weight gain or weight loss; broken or missing personal items; use of physical restraints; poor hygiene; unusual skin coloring; nursing home staff that can’t properly explain a resident’s physical condition; or staff that prevents family from visiting with the resident alone.
Source:
Orlando Sentinel
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/fl-nursing-home-neglect-verdict-20121120,0,6600860.story
