Los Angeles, CA personal injury attorney Louanne Masry talks about a specific case she worked on where she represented the wife of an older man with dementia who suffered a wrongful death in a nursing home. She explains that regrettably, our elderly citizens often experience mistreatment in nursing homes or group homes, encompassing incidents such as falls, bed sores, and broken bones. I have handled numerous cases related to such mistreatment. One particular case remains ingrained in my memory—a gentleman I represented who resided in a group home while battling Alzheimer’s dementia. He was a remarkable man, married to his wife for over 60 years.

Due to the progression of his dementia, his wife could no longer provide the necessary care, leading him to reside in the group home. Upon his arrival, the caregivers were well aware of his weakness and his need for assistance with daily activities like bathing and walking. Additionally, they were fully aware of his high risk of falling, a common occurrence among the elderly. Unfortunately, the facility failed to provide appropriate care and implement necessary precautions to protect him. Consequently, he experienced a fall, resulting in a fatal head injury.

In response to this tragedy, we filed a wrongful death case on behalf of his wife to seek justice for her immeasurable loss. While we were able to negotiate a significant settlement, the truly disheartening aspect of this case lies in the fact that it was entirely preventable. This devastating incident should never have occurred, casting a shadow on the profound impact that negligence can have on individuals and their loved ones.