$1 million neglect verdict
November 16th, 2007 by Wendi Lewis
The family of an 84-year-old man who died while in the care of a Louisiana nursing home has been awarded $1 million in damages stemming from a nursing home neglect and medical malpractice lawsuit. Leon Nelms of Tallulah, La., died in November 2004 because of complications arising from neglect at Olive Branch Senior Care Center, the jury found. The 12-person jury rendered its verdict on Nov. 2.
Shortly after entering Olive Branch Senior Care, Nelms had to be taken to a hospital because of infected pressure sores, weight loss, malnutrition and dehydration, the lawsuit alleged.
He died six days later from the infected pressure sores, one of which was so advanced it went to the bone and was infected with his own feces, according to the lawsuit.
The nursing facility is owned by Brown Development Inc. and D. Brown Enterprises Inc.