$821,000 Awarded To Family of Elderly Woman Who Wandered From Care Facility

Nursing home found negligent for elderly woman’s death

The family of a 74-year-old woman with dementia who died after wandering from an assisted care living facility in 2007 has been awarded $821,000, reports OregonLive.com.

1.5 million Americans live in nursing homes throughout the country.  Of these, it is estimated that as many as 35,000 die prematurely every year due to negligence, abuse or neglect. The breach of the standard care when directed against our elderly parents by paid givers should be punished severely.  If your elderly loved one has been injured or died while in the care of a nursing home or other healthcare facility, contact our attorneys at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys today.

The woman’s skeleton was found in May by a young boy who was searching through blackberry bushes for his lost cat.  Her fully clothed remains were found only one quarter-mile from the care facility.

Pheasant Pointe Retirement and Assisted Living Residence and its parent companies, Spectrum Retirement Communities of Oregon and SRC of Oregon, are accused of failing to provide adequate care for the elderly woman and of preventing her from repeatedly wandering off.

When the family became concerned she might need a higher level of supervision because of her wandering, the employees assured them they need not worry.

After a five-day trial, the jury returned the verdict for negligence.

If you or someone you love has been a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, contact our experienced attorneys at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys today.