Massive Jury Award in New York Nursing Home Case
A New York jury handed down a massive $19 million verdict recently for damages in response to a nursing home neglect lawsuit filed by the family of the resident.
Seventy-six year old John Danzy was a resident of Cypress Hills nursing home for just nine months before his family removed him from their care. When he entered the facility, he weighed 237 pounds and was able to ambulate on his own. On the day he was moved, he weighed just 148 pounds and had more than 20 bedsores all over his body.
Mr. Danzy should have been moved every two hours to help prevent bedsores, but records revealed that the facility only moved Mr. Danzy every four hours, if he was moved at all. An FBI expert testified at trial that skin-check notes showing "G" (representing good) were marked over with a "B" (for broken), as the facility tried to cover up that it missed Mr. Danzy's sores.
The jury deliberated for two days following the four week trial before finding that Mr. Danzy was provided substandard care. $3.75 million was awarded for pain and suffering and $15 million was awarded for punitive damages.
Sadly, Mr. Danzy died from an infection caused by the bedsores six months after leaving Cypress Hills.
