The family of the 92-year-old Joseph Clint Offutt was awarded $42.75 million after his nursing home neglected him for nine days which lead to dehydration and intimately his death.
A wrongful death lawsuit was filled on behalf of Offutt by his family after his nursing home failed to provide him with proper care. Offutt entered the Madisonville nursing home on March 25, 2008 and was transferred to a regional medical center on April 3, 2008. Offutt later died on April 5, 2008 from lethal dehydration and malnutrition.
Offutt's family filed the nursing home neglect lawsuit in 2009 against the nursing home and its parent company, Sunbridge Healthcare Corp. The family alleged the nursing home staff neglected Offutt, and caused him to suffer bedsores, severe dehydration, malnutrition, infections and ultimately death.
Offutt was a World War II veteran and was still planting crops until a stroke weakened him at age 88. His wife of 58 years took care of him for eights months before placing him in a nursing home.
It took a Hopkins County jury three weeks to return a verdict in Offutt's favor. The jury awarded $1 million for pain and suffering and $1.75 million for his wife's loss and $40 million in punitive damages.
During the trial, lead counsel for the Offutt family produced documents citing the nursing home received a citation for failing to prevent bedsore in the case of a 92-year-old man, i.e. According to the personal injury attorney representing the Offutt Family, this was not the only citation the nursing home facility received.
The nursing home's administrator was quoted after the trail saying the "verdict is outrageous and totally inappropriate based on the facts presented in the case." Due to the size of the verdict, they will most likely appeal the verdict.
If a family member or loved one has been placed in a nursing home and not receiving proper care, or if you have found signs of negligence such as dehydration, malnutrition or bedsores, please contact the Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers today for a free case evaluation. Contact us toll free at 1-888-580-5176 or 205-324-1212.
