A Tuscaloosa, Alabama jury awarded Nathan Ballard with a $2.65 million verdict on Tuesday. Ballard, who is a disabled, 55 year old man with Cerebral Palsy, was left stranded in his bed for four days by home healthcare workers, Gentiva Health Services USA.
Gentiva, which claims to be the Nation's leading provider of home healthcare, was contracted through the Alabama Independent Living Program, a subset of the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services to care for Ballard. The company services nearly a half million patients in more than 380 locations nationwide.
Based on the lawsuit filed, Gentiva Healthcare workers failed to show up at Mr. Ballard's home between March 18 and March 22, 2005. After the healthcare workers failed to check on him, Ballard was able to make enough noise to alert neighbors to call 911. Ballard was hospitalized and treated for injuries to his shoulder, hip and leg and dehydration.
Cases of neglect and nursing home abuse become a reality when verdicts and stories like what happened in Mr. Ballard's case are reported. Choosing a home health care company or a nursing home for a loved one can be a very difficult decision. People assume when they choose a company and/or facility that their loved ones are taken care of, protected and safe. Sadly, this is not the case for many people.
Our firm has represented many families whose loved ones were neglected and abused. If you or someone you know is a victim of nursing home neglect, malnutrition, dehydration or abuse, contact the Alabama Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys, Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP, today at 205-324-1212 or toll free at 888-580-5176.
