available 24/7
available 24/7
partner
The following is an article written by Lee Berquist and appeared in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel on January 8, 2012.
Jurors in Washington County awarded more than $1.5 million Friday to the mother of 56-year-old woman who died after choking while in the care of a group home in Germantown.
Vicky Anderson died on March 3, 2009, after an incident on Feb. 27 of that year, according to her attorney, in which staff of the group home failed to properly puree her food.
As a result she choked on her meal, causing brain damage and eventually her death, personal injury attorney Jeff Pitman said.
Anderson was developmentally disabled, blind and had difficulty swallowing her food. She lived at a group home in Germantown operated by Countryview Group Homes.
Pitman said that while researching the case, he discovered Countryview was operating the day of the incident without a required manager and had recently cut staffing levels.
Jurors awarded the womans estate nearly $1.52 million for burial expenses, pain and suffering, loss of companionship for Vickys mother, Evelyn, and punitive damages.
Michael Yelin, administrator of Countryview, said in a statement:
Countryview disputes any evidence of inappropriate staff cuts and (is) considering an appeal on that issue.
Countryview took responsibility from the beginning because its employee made a mistake.
PKSD – Ph: 414-333-3333
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorney Jeffery A. Pitman, who has more than 28 years of legal experience and handled thousands of personal injury cases while obtaining millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements in Wisconsin.
Key Takeaways Wisconsin nursing home negligence claims may include compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other documented losses. Settlement value depends on...
Key Takeaways Elder abuse includes physical, emotional, sexual, and financial harm, as well as neglect of vulnerable older adults in care facilities. Medical records,...
Key Takeaways Wisconsin law requires nursing homes to administer medications and treatments exactly as ordered by an authorized prescriber. Not every deviation from a...
