Source: http://docplayer.net/1950298-Plaintiff-s-perspective-michael-f-bonamarte-steven-m-levin-levin-perconti-chicago.html
Timestamp: 2017-01-21 09:10:54
Document Index: 667662021

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 8', 'ART 15', 'art 15', 'ART 15', 'art 3', 'art 1', 'art 9']

⭐Plaintiff s Perspective MICHAEL F. BONAMARTE STEVEN M. LEVIN Levin & Perconti Chicago
Download "Plaintiff s Perspective MICHAEL F. BONAMARTE STEVEN M. LEVIN Levin & Perconti Chicago"
1 6 Plaintiff s Perspective MICHAEL F. BONAMARTE STEVEN M. LEVIN Levin & Perconti Chicago COPYRIGHT 2008 BY MICHAEL F. BONAMARTE AND STEVEN M. LEVIN.2 I. [6.1] Introduction II. [6.2] Illinois Nursing Home Care Act III. [6.3] Case Intake and Screening IV. Common Injuries and Conditions A. [6.4] Pressure Ulcers B. [6.5] Sepsis C. [6.6] Wandering and Elopement D. [6.7] Falls E. [6.8] Physical Abuse F. [6.9] Malnutrition and Dehydration G. [6.10] Medication Errors H. [6.11] Choking/Clogged Breathing Tubes I. [6.12] Burns V. Complaint A. [6.13] Parties B. [6.14] Survival Action C. [6.15] Wrongful Death Action D. [6.16] Allegations of Negligence and Statutory Violations E. [6.17] Damages F. [6.18] Punitive Damages VI. Discovery A. [6.19] Written Discovery B. [6.20] Oral Discovery VII. [6.21] Common Themes and Defenses A. Plaintiff Themes 1. [6.22] Profits over People 2. [6.23] Trust and Broken Promises 3. [6.24] The Right To Die with Dignity B. Defense Themes 1. [6.25] Unavoidability 2. [6.26] Blaming the Resident or the Family3 VIII. [6.27] Conclusion IX. [6.28] Sample Nursing Home Pressure Ulcer Complaint4 I. [6.1] INTRODUCTION Practitioners owe it to elderly clients to consider the possibility of pursuing personal injury and wrongful death cases when the elderly are victims of neglect and abuse resulting in injuries and death. In the long-term care arena, the acquisition of several national nursing home chains by private equity firms has received a great deal of attention from the media, politicians, and elderly residents and their families. The worry is that in an effort to maximize revenue at nursing homes, these private equity firms are reducing staff and resources while increasing the census. The obvious result is that there are not enough staff and resources to care for the number of residents in the facility. This issue, referred to as the profits over people argument, was addressed extensively by Charles Duhigg, in At Many Homes, More Profit and Less Nursing, New York Times, Sept. 23, 2007, available at The elderly and their families as well as elder law attorneys should be aware that several laws have been codified to protect the rights of the elderly and encourage them and their families to assert their rights through litigation. On a national level, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (OBRA), Pub.L. No , 101 Stat. 1330, sets forth requirements for long-term care facilities throughout the country. Additionally, Illinois adopted the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act (NHCA), 210 ILCS 45/1-101, et seq., in 1979 amid concerns regarding inadequate care in nursing homes throughout the state. See 6.2 below. It is important for attorneys to be able to recognize when a civil action for the injuries or death of an elderly individual may be appropriate. The elderly need advocates. Cases involving the elderly do have value and can be won. Attorneys should encourage their clients in such situations to seek the counsel of experienced trial lawyers willing to pursue their claims. II. [6.2] ILLINOIS NURSING HOME CARE ACT The Illinois Nursing Home Care Act, 210 ILCS 45/1-101, et seq., was enacted in 1979 to address concerns of inadequate, improper, and degrading treatment of patients in nursing homes. Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, a senator for the 23rd District at the time, was the chief sponsor of the Act. Daley and Dean Timothy Jost coauthored an article that appeared in the Illinois Bar Journal in March 1980 highlighting the four main focuses of the NHCA: First, it sets forth the rights of long term care facility residents and the responsibilities of long term care facilities. Second, it extensively expands the powers of the state to deal with facilities which provide inadequate care. Third, it requires training and minimum qualifications for non-licensed staff. Fourth, and most important, it provides extensive new opportunities for residents, relatives and friends of residents, and community advocates to become involved in assuring quality nursing home care. Richard M. Daley and Dean Timothy Jost, The Nursing Home Reform Act of 1979, 68 Ill.B.J. 448 (1980).5 The NHCA gives Illinois nursing home residents a private statutory cause of action for actual damages and costs and attorneys fees against nursing home licensees for violations of the residents rights provisions of the Act. See 210 ILCS 45/2-101 through 45/2-113.The most important right is the right to be free from abuse and neglect. It is essential that plaintiffs personal injury lawyers handling cases against nursing homes be knowledgeable about the NHCA and its implications. While this chapter addresses several areas of the Act, the reader should refer to ADVISING ELDERLY CLIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES, Ch. 7 (IICLE 2006), for a complete discussion. III. [6.3] CASE INTAKE AND SCREENING Traditionally, lawyers have overlooked cases involving the injuries and death of residents in the nursing home and long-term care setting. For a variety of reasons, including infirmities, lack of earning capacity, and because they rarely provide economic support to anyone, a misconception has formed in the legal community that personal injury cases and wrongful death cases involving the elderly do not have value. Recent case results suggest otherwise. When confronted with situations of possible abuse and neglect of a resident in a nursing home or other long-term care setting, personal injury lawyers owe it to the potential client to consider pursuing a personal injury or wrongful death case. During the initial phone call with the client, who is most likely a family member of the nursing home resident, there are several questions that a lawyer can ask to determine whether there might be a personal injury or wrongful death case to pursue. First, the lawyer needs to establish the nature and extent of the injuries the resident has experienced. Ask the potential client what harm they believe the facility s wrongful conduct caused. Injuries that should alert the lawyer to the possibility of abuse and neglect and therefore the possibility of a personal injury or wrongful death action include the injuries and conditions discussed in below. After determining the nature and extent of the resident s injuries, the lawyer should obtain a detailed chronology of the resident s medical history from immediately prior to the resident s nursing home stay until the present or the time of the resident s death, including any intermittent hospitalizations or other nursing home admissions. This will help the lawyer get a better feel for the case, identify other potential defendants, and identify the statute of limitations. During this initial contact, the attorney should ask whether the potential client has filed a complaint with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). If not, the attorney should advise the client about the IDPH telephone hotline number for reporting suspected nursing home abuse and neglect. The number is 800/ If a resident or resident s family member calls this number and reports suspected abuse or neglect, a surveyor from IDPH will investigate the individual s complaints. The IDPH has the authority to cite the nursing home for violations of both state and federal regulations and to fine the nursing home. If IDPH cites the facility for regulatory violations, the surveyor s report can be very useful in determining whether a personal injury case should be pursued, the names of potential additional parties, and the names of potential witnesses to depose.6 If IDPH does not cite the facility, however, the lawyer must be very careful not to close his or her mind to the possibility of pursuing a personal injury lawsuit. Just because the IDPH does not cite the facility does not mean neglect did not occur. Surveyors investigating nursing homes are doing so based on often limited information given to them by the resident or the resident s family members. The surveyor will usually review only a small portion of the resident s medical records and will not always be able to talk to the key employees of the nursing home. Therefore, it is possible for the surveyor to overlook instances of abuse or neglect. During the initial call, the lawyer should also try to gather information such as a. a detailed family history including all interested parties; b. the family s involvement with the resident and frequency of visits; c. a history of confrontations between the resident or a family member and staff; d. the resident s attending physician; e. the names of staff members; f. comorbidities; g. results of the injuries caused by the neglect of the nursing home (e.g., hospitalizations, surgeries, death, etc.); h. possession of or authority to obtain medical records; i. existence of a will (if the resident has passed away): 1. if a will exits, who are the heirs; who is the executor; has the will been filed; has a probate estate been opened; 2. if there is no will, who are the interested parties pursuant to the laws of intestacy; j. accurate contact information, including mailing address and phone number; and k. aggravating factors (e.g., instances in which the resident was verbally abused or left lying in urine or feces). If after the initial phone call the lawyer determines there is a personal injury or wrongful death case to pursue against the nursing home, he or she should have the client sign an attorneyclient agreement, and then either the lawyer or the client should obtain the medical records of the nursing home resident for review. If the lawyer has the medical records reviewed by a nurse, doctor, or some other healthcare professional, the lawyer must discuss the findings with the reviewer upon completion. In the area of nursing home litigation, it is imperative that the lawyer7 know what to look for and what questions to ask the reviewer in order to determine whether to proceed with a lawsuit. For example, in a pressure ulcer case, some questions to ask would include the following: a. Was there an assessment performed to determine if the resident was at risk for the development of pressure ulcers? b. What risk factors did the resident have for the development of pressure ulcers? c. Was a care plan developed to address the resident s risk for the development of pressure ulcers? d. What did the care plan entail? e. Was the care plan carried out? f. Was the resident reassessed on a continuous basis to determine if the care plan was working? g. If the care plan was not working, was the resident s doctor called? Was the resident s family called? Were new interventions put in place? h. What interventions were in place to address the resident s risk (e.g., pressure-relieving devices, a turning and repositioning schedule, appropriate nutritional and hydrational support)? i. What stage were the pressure ulcers? Upon assessment, were there accurate descriptions of the pressure ulcers including size, stage, appearance, and drainage? These are just a few of the multitude of questions that the lawyer needs to be aware of and ask. If the lawyer who receives a call from a family member of a nursing home resident who suspects his or her loved one has been abused or neglected in a nursing home is unfamiliar with this area of personal injury litigation, the lawyer should consult with or consider referring the potential case to a lawyer more experienced in this area of law. If after a thorough analysis of the facts of the case a determination is made to pursue a personal injury or wrongful death case on behalf of the resident or resident s family, the lawyer should begin drafting the complaint as discussed in below. IV. COMMON INJURIES AND CONDITIONS A. [6.4] Pressure Ulcers Pressure ulcers (also called bedsores, pressure sores, and decubitus ulcers) are lesions in the skin that typically form due to constant pressure on bony prominences of the body and that decrease the blood flow to those areas. Common areas where pressure ulcers form are the sacrum8 and coccyx bone, often referred to as the tailbone. There are four classifications of pressure ulcers that indicate the severity of the ulcer. A Stage I pressure ulcer presents as an area of persistent defined redness of intact skin. A Stage II pressure ulcer presents as an abrasion or blister in the skin involving partial skin loss. Full skin loss and damage to or necrosis of underlying tissue is indicative of a Stage III pressure ulcer. Finally, the most severe pressure ulcer is a Stage IV ulcer, which presents as full skin loss and extensive damage to or necrosis extending through tissue to muscle or bone. Nursing homes are obligated to identify individuals at risk for pressure ulcers. Once the risk is assessed, the nursing home must form and implement a care plan including modalities to prevent pressure ulcers. There are numerous risk factors for the development of pressure ulcers, including 1. immobility; 2. poor nutrition and hydration; 3. peripheral vascular disease; and 4. diabetes. These are just a few factors that can increase an individual s risk for the development of pressure ulcers. Nursing homes can prevent the formation of pressure ulcers by constantly turning and repositioning residents to ensure the residents are not putting unrelieved pressure on any certain area of the body. In addition, the nursing home should provide residents with appropriate nutritional and hydrational support. Regular bathing is also important. There are pressurerelieving devices such as special mattresses, beds, heel protectors, and boots that can help prevent pressure ulcers by alleviating pressure to areas where the resident is at risk. B. [6.5] Sepsis Sepsis, also referred to as septicemia, is a bacterial blood infection. Under normal circumstances, the body s white blood cells rid the blood of bacteria, but sepsis may occur if the white blood cells are overwhelmed by an unusually large number of bacteria. Persons with sepsis may experience fever, chills, rapid breathing, irregular heartbeat, and loss of appetite. Sepsis often develops at the same time as infection in another part of the body, such as a respiratory, skin, or gastrointestinal infection. Sepsis may also coincide with or precede meningitis, an infection of the central nervous system. In severe cases, sepsis can lead to infections of the brain and heart and subsequent death. The skin is one of the main sites of infection leading to sepsis. Normally, the skin serves as a barrier against all manner of viral and bacterial threats, but any cut or open wound can allow a bacterial infection that can cause sepsis to develop. These include surgical sites, points of entry for intravenous lines, and sites of skin breakdown such as pressure ulcers (see 6.4 above). Sepsis prevention can include monitoring the skin for the development of bedsores and taking steps to prevent bedsores from developing. If sepsis develops in a patient who was improperly monitored or treated, the medical professionals in charge of administering care may be held liable.9 C. [6.6] Wandering and Elopement Elopement and wandering are related concepts. Wandering refers to aimless movement throughout the facility during which the resident puts his or her safety at risk due to an inability to appreciate danger. Elopement refers to the resident s ability to leave the facility unsupervised and unnoticed, putting the resident s safety in danger. Elopement and wandering are risks the nursing home must recognize and prevent by providing each resident with the appropriate level of supervision. Exit doors should be alarmed to notify staff when residents leave the facility unsupervised, and the nursing home staff must know how to appropriately respond to the alarms. Failure to prevent elopement and wandering puts residents at risk for falls, exposure to harsh weather, and other significant dangers. D. [6.7] Falls Falls occur frequently among the elderly population and lead to numerous other complications with devastating effects. The elderly are more likely to suffer fractures, which can lead to immobility and put the resident at risk for the development of pressure ulcers and other problems. Significant fractures shorten the life expectancy of elderly. The nursing home has a responsibility to identify and assess the resident s risk for falls. Those residents at risk should be monitored closely and receive assistance with transfers to prevent them from falling. Bed rails, nonskid footwear, an appropriate armchair with wheels locked at bedside, walkers, and canes can be used to help prevent falls. E. [6.8] Physical Abuse Because of their physical dependence, nursing home residents are easy targets of physical abuse. This kind of maltreatment of the elderly is absolutely unacceptable and deserves severe punishment to both the perpetrator and the nursing home that allowed abuse to occur. Physical abuse encompasses sexual assault and abuse and any other form of physical maltreatment. F. [6.9] Malnutrition and Dehydration Maintaining appropriate nutritional and hydrational status is important in the nursing home setting. Residents who do not receive adequate nutrition and hydration are more at risk for the development of pressure ulcers, infection, muscle weakness leading to immobility, and falls. Poor nutrition and hydration also make it more difficult for existing pressure ulcers and infections to heal. The elderly have less water content in their bodies than younger adults and a decreased thirst response that, among other factors, put them at risk for dehydration. Increasing fluid intake in the elderly is important and relatively simple. The nursing home should monitor the resident s fluid intake and ensure that the resident drinks at least six cups of fluid each day. Fruit juices, popsicles, and gelatin are excellent sources of fluid that help residents maintain appropriate hydration.10 There is a variety of factors that can lead to malnutrition. Depression, an increasing problem among the elderly, is a potential cause of malnutrition as individuals suffering from depression have a tendency to eat less and in turn to do not receive sufficient vitamins and minerals to prevent malnutrition. Other causes of malnutrition include difficulty swallowing and adverse drug effects such as vomiting and diarrhea. Nursing homes often fail to take steps to prevent malnutrition by not monitoring resident food intake and output, not providing a comfortable environment to promote eating, and not providing food that is appetizing. G. [6.10] Medication Errors Misadministration of medicine is a frequent and serious problem at nursing homes. Residents are often given the wrong medication or not given the medication in the dosage or frequency required by the physician s order. This occurs as a result of carelessness on the part of the staff, lack of supervision of the nurses administering the medications, or lack of properly trained and supervised staff to administer the medications. Medication error risks can be considerable because many patients are on a number of prescriptions and already have compromised physical health conditions. These risks are also exacerbated by the fact that nursing homes are often understaffed. If medication error causes injury to a resident, he or she has the right to seek compensation for their losses. H. [6.11] Choking/Clogged Breathing Tubes Choking deprives the brain of oxygen and can cause brain damage and even death. While such an injury may appear to be accidental, nursing homes can be held accountable. If the choking occurred because the patient was not properly monitored, it is the fault of the nursing home, and there may be a personal injury and wrongful death case to pursue. I. [6.12] Burns Many nursing home residents suffer severe burns as a result of water that is too hot in bathtubs or sitz baths. These injuries often occur because nursing homes are understaffed or the staff members are negligent. V. COMPLAINT A. [6.13] Parties Prior to the filing of the lawsuit, it is important to know who the interested parties are. Who will act as the named plaintiff? If the resident is still alive, the lawsuit may be brought in his or her name if he or she is mentally competent. Find out if a family member has been appointed power of attorney or guardian of the resident and if so whether the appointment allows the family member to bring the lawsuit in his or her name.11 If the resident has passed away and there will be both a survival and wrongful death action, find out if there is a will, whether it has been filed, whether a probate estate has been opened, who is the executor, and who are the heirs. The lawsuit will then likely be filed in the name of the executor. If there is no will, then a special representative and special administrator must be appointed to prosecute the causes of action under the survival statute and the Wrongful Death Act. This can be done in the law division upon verified motion of the petitioner seeking to be appointed. After determining the appropriate plaintiff and the interested parties to the lawsuit, the appropriate defendant or defendants and possibly respondents in discovery need to be identified. The licensee of the nursing home should be named as a defendant in every case brought pursuant to the Nursing Home Care Act, which provides: The licensee shall pay the actual damages and costs and attorney s fees to a facility resident whose rights, as specified in Part 1 of Article II of this Act, are violated. 210 ILCS 45/ Attorneys handling nursing home cases owe it to their clients to consider other defendants as well. The attorney should find out if any outside company provided management services to the nursing home. This information can be ascertained by looking at the cost reports prepared by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly known as the Illinois Department of Public Aid). These reports are available at Other outside agencies should be considered as possible defendants as well. For example, if there are nutritional issues, the attorney should find out if a dietician was seeing the resident and by whom the dietician is employed, as these individuals often work as independent contractors and therefore might not be considered employees of the nursing home. Consider naming individual nurses, certified nursing assistants, the administrator, and other employees of the nursing home as defendants when appropriate. Find out who the resident s attending physician is or was and what role he or she played in the care and treatment of the resident. If the attorney is unsure whether any of these entities or individuals should be named as defendants, he or she should consider naming them as respondents in discovery in order to avoid waiving the right to name them as defendants later on. This also gives the plaintiff an opportunity to obtain written discovery and oral discovery of key witnesses early on in the case. B. [6.14] Survival Action An issue that has arisen under the Nursing Home Care Act is whether a deceased resident s right to prosecute a private civil damage action for injuries incurred prior to death passes unabated to the decedent s estate. In Wills v. DeKalb Area Retirement Center, 175 Ill.App.3d 833, 530 N.E.2d 1066, 125 Ill.Dec. 657 (2d Dist. 1988), the court held that a special administrator of a12 nursing home resident s estate could bring an action under 210 ILCS 45/3-602 for injuries incurred prior to death pursuant to 755 ILCS 5/27-6. In Myers v. Heritage Enterprises, Inc., 332 Ill.App.3d 514, 773 N.E.2d 767, 266 Ill.Dec. 32 (4th Dist. 2002), the Fourth District Appellate Court confirmed that a plaintiff could bring a survival action pursuant to 755 ILCS 5/27-6 on the decedent s behalf under the NHCA for injuries sustained by the decedent prior to death. The caselaw is also clear that, when bringing a survival action under the NHCA, a certificate of merit and supporting report from a healthcare professional pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/2-622 are not required. In Eads v. Heritage Enterprises, Inc., 204 Ill.2d 92, 787 N.E.2d 771, 272 Ill.Dec. 585 (2003), the Supreme Court held that was inapplicable to actions under the NHCA and, therefore, the certificates and reports required by this section were not necessary for actions filed under the Act. 787 N.E.2d at 780. C. [6.15] Wrongful Death Action Practitioners should be aware that in Pietrzyk v. Oak Lawn Pavilion, Inc., 329 Ill.App.3d 1043, 769 N.E. 2d 134, 263 Ill.Dec. 932 (1st Dist. 2002), the court held that the heirs of a deceased nursing home resident could not bring a wrongful death claim under the Nursing Home Care Act. However, this does not preclude the heirs from bringing a wrongful death claim in a common-law negligence count. There is dispute as to whether a certificate of merit and healthcare professional s report pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/2-622 are required for a common-law wrongful death count. Therefore, the authors recommend the filing of a certificate and report if bringing counts alleging wrongful death. The authors also recommend filing a wrongful death count pursuant to the NHCA to preserve the issue in the event there is a retroactive change in the law. D. [6.16] Allegations of Negligence and Statutory Violations The attorney filing a nursing home complaint should be familiar with the federal and state regulations governing nursing homes. In 1987, the federal government promulgated the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of The Illinois Department of Public Health also promulgated regulations, which are codified at 77 Ill.Admin. Code pt. 300 and govern nursing homes in this state. Violations of the federal and state regulations can be alleged and pled in the complaint as evidence of negligence. See 6.25 below for a sample complaint. Some examples of commonly pled OBRA regulations are as follows: Pressure ulcers. Based on a comprehensive assessment of a resident, the facility must ensure that (1) a resident who enters the facility without pressure ulcers does not develop pressure ulcers unless the resident s clinical conditions demonstrate that they were unavoidable; and (2) a resident having pressure ulcers receives necessary treatment and services to promote healing, prevent infection, and prevent new sores from developing. 42 C.F.R (c). Malnutrition and dehydration. Based on a comprehensive assessment, the facility must provide sufficient fluid intake to maintain proper hydration and health (42 C.F.R (j)) and ensure the resident maintains acceptable parameters of nutritional status such as body weight and13 protein status unless the resident s clinical condition demonstrates that this is not possible and he or she receives a therapeutic diet after nutritional problems develop (42 C.F.R (i)). The facility must also ensure that a resident who has been able to eat enough alone or with assistance is not fed by nasal gastric tube unless the resident s clinical condition demonstrates that use of a nasal gastric tube was unavoidable. 42 C.F.R (g)(1). A resident who is fed by a nasal gastric or gastrostomy tube must receive the appropriate treatment and services to prevent aspiration pneumonia, diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, metabolic abnormalities, and nasal pharyngeal ulcers; normal feeding functions should be restored if possible. 42 C.F.R (g)(2). Pursuant to (a), the facility must ensure that a resident s abilities in the activities of daily living do not diminish unless circumstances of the individual s clinical condition demonstrate that the diminution was unavoidable. This includes the resident s ability to eat. Falls. The facility must ensure that the resident environment remains as free of accident hazards as possible and provide appropriate supervision and assistance devices to prevent falls. 42 C.F.R (h). Choking. The facility must insure that residents receive proper care and treatment for special services such as tracheotomy care, tracheal suctioning, and respiratory care. 42 C.F.R (k). E. [6.17] Damages Attorneys should think about damages throughout the prosecution of a nursing home negligence and wrongful death case. Damages for the pain, suffering, disability, disfigurement, and medical expenses the resident experienced prior to death as a result of the negligence of the defendant may be recovered. While attorneys have a tendency to focus on pain and suffering experienced by the resident, it is important not to discount the disability and disfigurement experienced. For example, if the resident is injured in a fall and the injuries put the resident in a coma, stress how the neglect of the nursing home left the resident in a completely disabled state. Portray what the resident could do prior to the injuries and how the resident could no longer do any of those things after the injuries. Let the jury know at trial that as a result of the injuries suffered, the resident could not feel a loved one hold his or her hand or hear a loved one tell him or her I love you. This is powerful evidence at trial. Consider and plead violations of the resident s dignity. For example, damages can be awarded for the suffering caused as a result of being left lying in urine or feces for extended periods of time, especially when it causes an exacerbation of other injuries. While it is important to show how the loss of the resident in a wrongful death action has impacted the heirs, be careful not to overemphasize this loss. It has been the authors experience that jurors are more inclined in nursing home survival and wrongful death cases to award damages for the pain, suffering, disability, and disfigurement experienced by the resident as opposed to the loss of companionship and society experienced by the heirs.14 Attorneys bringing a negligence action under the Nursing Home Care Act must remember that the Act grants the right to recovery of attorneys fees. 210 ILCS 45/ Be sure to plead this in the complaint. One key case to be familiar with is Berlak v. Villa Scalabrini Home for the Aged, Inc., 284 Ill.App.3d 231, 671 N.E.2d 768, 219 Ill.Dec. 601 (1st Dist. 1996). In Berlak, the court addressed the issue of whether a court could enter an award of attorneys fees both disproportionate to the jury verdict on damages and in disregard of the contingent fee agreement that may have existed between the plaintiff and his or her attorneys. The Berlak court reasoned that the intent behind the NHCA suggests that attorneys fees should be awarded whenever a violation of the Act is proven even if the monetary recovery is minimal. The court concluded that since the purpose of the Act is to make nursing home residents private attorneys general, awarding attorneys fees in direct proportion to the amount of damages recovered would discourage private enforcement of the Act and defeat that purpose. 671 N.E.2d at 772. Based on this reasoning, the court affirmed an award of attorneys fees in the approximate amount of $85,000 despite the fact that the jury returned a damage award in the approximate amount of $3,750. F. [6.18] Punitive Damages Originally, of the Nursing Home Care Act provided for treble damages for violations of the resident rights provision: The licensee shall pay 3 times the actual damages, or $500, whichever is greater, and costs and attorney s fees to a facility resident whose rights, as specified in Part I of Article II of this Act, are violated. Section was amended effective July 21, 1995, and the treble damages provision of the original Act was repealed. Section now provides: The licensee shall pay the actual damages and costs and attorney s fees to a facility resident whose rights, as specified in Part 1 of Article II of this Act, are violated. 210 ILCS 45/ The amendment did not address whether the repeal of treble damages was to be applied prospectively or retroactively. In Dardeen v. Heartland Manor, Inc., 186 Ill.2d 291, 710 N.E.2d 827, 238 Ill.Dec. 30 (1999), the Illinois Supreme Court resolved a conflict in the appellate court and held that the amendment did not infringe on vested rights and applied the amendment retroactively, extinguishing the triple damages remedy for all pending claims. It is clear that the treble damages provision is punitive in nature. It is also clear that even though the treble damages provision was repealed, a resident can still recover punitive damages upon a showing of willful and wanton misconduct as opposed to simple negligence. However, it is not entirely clear whether a resident s claim for punitive damages will survive the death of the resident. The general rule in Illinois is that an action for punitive damages will not survive the death of the original claimant. However, the Illinois courts have carved out two exceptions that allow the punitive damages claim to survive. The punitive damages claim will survive when (1) there is a statutory basis for the claim, or (2) strong equitable considerations favor survival.15 In the context of nursing home litigation, this issue is crucial. Due to advanced age, many residents die before their claims are filed or while their claims are pending as a result of conduct by the nursing home that is willful or wanton. If punitive damages do not survive the death of the resident, the consequence will be that the nursing home will escape liability for willful and wanton conduct for which the award of punitive damages is appropriate. The Illinois Department of Public Health lists quarterly violations of nursing homes on its Web site, A few examples of conduct that may be considered willful and wanton include the following: 1. A resident with a history of wandering and whose whereabouts were supposed to be monitored every two hours escaped from the facility and was found frozen to death in the snow. The nurses notes did not reveal that the resident was being monitored, and an IDPH survey revealed that the front door of the facility did not have an alarm. 2. A resident fell and hit her head. The facility s own policy called for 40 hours of neurological assessment after a head injury. However, the staff performed the neurological assessment for only four hours. The resident died the next day from a blood clot near the brain. 3. A resident who was supposed to be intensely supervised suffocated to death in his room as a result of being wedged between his mattress and bed. His body was lying on the floor of his room for more than two hours before being discovered. Nurses were in and out of the room giving care to other residents but did not notice the resident because of clutter around the bed. The language of the NHCA, Senator Fawell s legislative comments (quoted below), and the Illinois Supreme Court cases Dardeen, supra, and Eads v. Heritage Enterprises, Inc., 204 Ill.2d 92, 787 N.E.2d, 771, 272 Ill.Dec. 585 (2003), all suggest that punitive damages are available under the Act. The following provisions are contained in the current version of the Act: The owner and licensee are liable to a resident for any intentional or negligent act or omission of their agents or employees which injures the resident. [Emphasis added.] 210 ILCS 45/ The licensee shall pay the actual damages and costs and attorney s fees to a facility resident whose rights, as specified in Part 1 of Article II of this Act, are violated. 210 ILCS 45/ A resident may maintain an action under this Act for any other type of relief, including injunctive and declaratory relief, permitted by law. [Emphasis added.] 210 ILCS 45/ The remedies provided in Sections through 3-607, are in addition to and cumulative with any other legal remedies available to a resident. 210 ILCS 45/ The Act itself contemplates relief for intentional conduct and states that a resident may maintain an action under the Act for any other relief, which certainly includes punitive damages.16 Further support for a statutory basis for punitive damages comes from the Illinois Supreme Court. In Dardeen, supra, 710 N.E. 2d at 832, the court stated: Under the amended version of the statute, plaintiff may recover actual damages and attorney fees upon proof of defendant s negligent violations of the Act, and may additionally recover common law punitive damages upon proof of willful and wanton misconduct on the part of the defendant. [Emphasis added.] The court s reasoning arguably allows a common-law action for punitive damages based on proof of willful and wanton misconduct even though the nursing resident in Dardeen was deceased at the time the action was filed. Further support for this argument can be found in the comments of Senator Beverly J. Fawell during debate over the bill. Senator Fawell stated: The elimination of the mandatory provision in no way prevents a judge or jury from awarding punitive damages in any amount, even in excess of triple actual damages, if actions of the nursing home or any of its employees or agents are deemed to be intentional or willful and wanton. 89th General Assembly, Regular Session, Senate Transcript, 57th Legislative Day, p. 90 (May 24, 1995). In 2003, the Illinois Supreme Court reiterated its position of allowing punitive damages for willful and wanton misconduct under the NHCA. In Eads, supra, 787 N.E.2d at , the Illinois Supreme Court cited Dardeen, supra, 710 N.E.2d at 832, stating: By contrast, the Nursing Home Care Act allows plaintiffs to recover common law punitive damages upon proof of willful and wanton misconduct on the part of the defendants. [Emphasis added.] The second exception in which a punitive damages claim will survive the death of the claimant is when strong equitable considerations exist favoring survival. The courts consider three factors when determining whether strong equitable considerations exist favoring survival of a claim for punitive damages: (1) whether the conduct of the defendant offends clearly articulated public policy; (2) whether the conduct of the defendant is criminal as opposed to or in addition to willful and wanton misconduct; and (3) whether absent an award of punitive damages the plaintiff would receive inadequate or small compensation for his or her injuries. Grunloh v. Effingham Equity, Inc., 174 Ill.App.3d 508, 528 N.E.2d 1031, 124 Ill.Dec. 140 (4th Dist. 1988); Raisl v. Elwood Industries, Inc., 134 Ill.App.3d 170, 479 N.E.2d 1106, 89 Ill.Dec. 100 (1st Dist. 1985). All three factors exist in the context of nursing home litigation when the defendant s conduct is willful and wanton. The enactment of the NHCA and other legislation designed to protect the rights of the elderly suggests that willful and wanton misconduct directed toward a nursing home resident offends clearly articulated public policy. Section of the Illinois Criminal Code, 720 ILCS 5/12-21, makes criminal abuse and neglect of a long-term care facility resident a felony. Finally, absent an award of punitive damages, many residents, due to their advanced age and mental infirmities, are unlikely to pursue costly and time-consuming litigation when the recovery will be small or is uncertain. Most residents do not have wage-loss claims. Without the availability of punitive damages, the deterrent purpose of the NHCA is compromised.17 VI. DISCOVERY A. [6.19] Written Discovery Written discovery should be used as a tool to find out as much information as possible about the nursing home and the incidents involved in the complaint. To avoid getting generic responses such as see medical records, the attorney should avoid asking generic, vague, and overbroad questions. Tailor interrogatories to the specific case. Get the information you really want. There are key witnesses to speak to in almost all nursing home cases. For the applicable time period, find out who the administrator, assistant administrator, medical director, director of nursing, assistant director of nursing, head charge and/or floor nurses on the unit where the resident resided, MDS (minimum data set) coordinator, care plan coordinator, attending physician, and regional nurse consultant or corporate nurse consultant were. In a pressure ulcer case, find out if the nursing home employed a wound or skin care nurse. If physical or occupational therapy is an issue in the case, ask for the names of therapists who provided treatment to the resident. In a malnutrition or dehydration case, determine if any nutritionists or dieticians saw the resident. When asking for the names of these individuals, remember to find out their dates of employment as well. Request last known addresses, social security numbers, telephone numbers, and professional license numbers. Note that the plaintiff can contact and speak with any former employees of the nursing home. To the extent there are former employees, it might be helpful to speak with them prior to a deposition and obtain a sworn statement. If not already known, be sure to find out the insurance information of the defendant(s), including any excess coverage and whether the policy is an eroding policy. An eroding policy is one in which the defense attorneys fees and costs come out of the policy. For example, if the nursing home has a $250,000 policy and the defense fees and costs are $100,000, there would be only $150,000 available in insurance coverage to pay the plaintiff. Adequate insurance coverage is becoming an issue in the area of nursing home litigation. Attorneys need to be aware that many nursing homes are operating without coverage or with insufficient coverage and consider all potential defendants. Obtain this information as soon as possible. Instead of asking for the names of every nurse, certified nursing assistant, or other healthcare professional that saw the resident during his or her entire admission, review the chart and ask the defendant to identify the individuals who wrote on specific pages. Making the questions more specific will help avoid objections that the questions are overbroad or vague. Looking at the chart early on will also save time later. Because CNAs rarely document in the chart, ask for the timecards and staffing schedules to identify the CNA who provided care and treatment to the resident. Use production requests to ensure you have a complete copy of the nursing home chart. For example, make the following production request:18 A complete copy of the nursing home chart for [resident], including but not limited to the following: 1. Admission/discharge records, transfer forms, discharge summaries, initial assessments, histories and physicals, physicians orders at admission and upon discharge; 2. Medication records telephone order slips, physicians order sheets, medication administration records, PRN [as-needed] administration records, pharmacy order sheets; 3. Physicians records progress notes, exams, physicals, written orders of attending physicians and specialists, including but not limited to podiatrists, dentists, and psychiatrists; 4. Nursing records assessments (falls, skin care needs, other risks), Minimum Data Set (MDS) and updates, RAPs [resident assessment protocols], progress notes, care plans and updates, incident reports; 5. Dietary records initial diet orders, diet/nutritional assessments, ongoing dietary orders, intake and output records, dietary progress notes; 6. Activity/social services histories and assessments, care plans, progress notes; 7. Rehabilitation/therapy records orders, evaluations, care plans, progress notes; [and] 8. Legal records notice of guardianship appointment, advance directives[.][;] [Other items to ask for in production requests might include the following:] 9. Index or table of contents of policies and procedures [from which the attorney can select those applicable to the case]; 10. Incident reports; 11. Photographs of the resident; 12. Copy of the contract for admission to the facility in use at the time and the executed contract for the resident; 13. Complete copy of promotional materials used for admission and orientation, including but not limited to brochures, summary of residents rights, rate schedules, services available, responsibilities of residents and facility, and advance directive information;19 14. Copies of any and all agreements or contracts for services between the facility and any other agency or entity; 15. Insurance policies; 16. Staffing schedules; and hour reports and/or shift reports. Be sure to review the defendant s answers to discovery to ensure they are complete. If the questions have been asked in a concise manner and the answer is nonresponsive, push the defendant for more complete answers by 201(k) conferences (see Ill.S.Ct. Rule 201(k)); if they are unwilling to provide more complete answers, file a motion to compel. B. [6.20] Oral Discovery Once written discovery is complete, it is time to move on to what is, in the opinion of the authors, the most important part of the discovery process: discovery depositions. Ironically, discovering information is rarely, if ever, the purpose of a discovery deposition. Discovering information is done before oral discovery. Use written discovery and other means to discover information. Instead, the purposes of the discovery deposition are to 1. prove your case; 2. develop a roadmap for adverse examination at trial; 3. establish the standard of care pertaining to the care and treatment of the nursing home resident; 4. establish the importance of following the standard of care; 5. establish the consequences of breaking the rules; 6. elicit testimony from employees and former employees of the nursing home that the standard of care and facility policies and procedures were violated; 7. elicit testimony pertinent to proving proximate cause; 8. elicit damage testimony, pain and suffering, disability and disfigurement; 9. lock in the witness to prevent future creativity (i.e., if the witness admits to a standard of care or policy and procedure violation ten different ways during a deposition, it will be harder for him or her to change that testimony at trial); 10. block defenses;20 11. make it difficult for the defense to find an expert to testify credibly; 12. put your client in the best position to settle the case; and 13. create conflict among multiple defendants. In most nursing home cases, it is important to depose the administrator of the facility, director of nursing, and attending physician. Prior to the deposition of the administrator, be familiar with 42 C.F.R and the responsibility it places on the administrator of the home. Question the administrator about the regulatory history of the facility. Regulatory history information is available at the Illinois Department of Public Health nursing home Web site, At this site, there is a link to every nursing home in Illinois and the facility regulatory history with the actual reports of investigations. If any of the reports are not available electronically, they can be obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request. The director of nursing can be used to establish the standard of care and the facility s policies and procedures and hypothetical violations of both. The questions to ask the resident s attending physician will depend in large part on whether the attending physician is a defendant in the case. If the attending physician is a defendant in the case, the goal of the deposition is, as stated above, to prove the plaintiff s prima facie case against the doctor. If the attending physician is not a defendant, his or her testimony can be helpful in building the case against the nursing home. The attending physician will testify that the nursing home staff acts as his or her eyes and ears. The attending physician will speak to the expectations about what the nursing home staff must report and testify that if the nursing home staff failed to report changes in the condition of the resident, the staff violated those expectations. Find out the doctor s role, how the doctor was involved, what was communicated to the doctor, what should have been communicated to the doctor, what the doctor would have done if certain information had been communicated, and how, had the doctor been notified, interventions could have taken place and the outcome would have been different. Choosing other nurses and certified nursing assistants to depose depends on the case. In a pressure ulcer case, determine who the treatment nurses were and who was supposed to be providing treatment to the resident. In a fall case, depose the nurses and CNAs that responded to the incident. Depose the individuals responsible for monitoring the resident to prevent falls on the date of the incident. In a malnutrition and dehydration case, depose the dietician or nutritionist. In every nursing home case, determine if the resident was predisposed or had risk factors for the injuries that ultimately occurred. The answer to that question is almost always yes. The next step is to find out whether an accurate assessment was performed of the resident that identified those risk factors, whether a care plan was developed to address those risks, whether the care plan was implemented, and whether the resident was continuously reassessed to determine if the care plan was working. If there was not an accurate assessment performed, depose the individual who performed the assessment or who was responsible for performing the assessment. The initial assessment is crucial because it dictates the care and treatment the resident is to receive at the facility. View more
NURSING HOME CARE ACT INTRODUCTION The Nursing Home Care Act, 210 ILCS 45/1, et seq., was adopted amid concern over reports of inadequate, improper and degrading treatment of patients in nursing homes. More information NURSING HOME LITIGATION: PLAINTIFF'S PERSPECTIVE. Benjamin E. Baker, Jr. THE LAW OF THE CASE
NURSING HOME LITIGATION: PLAINTIFF'S PERSPECTIVE Benjamin E. Baker, Jr. THE LAW OF THE CASE a. Alabama Medical Liability Act In recent years, nursing home neglect and death cases have been on the rise. More information S t e v e n M. L e v i n a n d J o r d a n S. P o w e l l
When it comes to proving violations of the safety rules and the resulting harm to nursing home residents, you need to know the right questions to ask the defense witnesses, as well as how to dissect common More information Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel P.O. Box 7288, Springfield, IL 62791 IDC Quarterly Vol. 12, No. 1 (12.1.67) FEATURE ARTICLE
FEATURE ARTICLE Nursing Home Care Act Cases Abate at Death By: Edward M. Wagner Heyl, Royster, Voelker & Allen, Urbana A Statutory Cause of Action Attempted for a Violation of the Illinois Nursing Home More information Table of Contents. Selected Iowa Wrongful Death Laws and Rules
Table of Contents 1. What is a wrongful death claim?... 2 2. Who may recover compensation for a wrongful death?... 3 3. How is a wrongful death claim commenced?... 4 4. What types of losses are compensated More information ISSUES INVOLVED IN TAKING TRIAL. Navan Ward Jr. Navan.Ward@beasleyallen.com 18 th Annual Spring Retreat & Seminar
ISSUES INVOLVED IN TAKING A NURSING HOME CASE TO TRIAL Navan Ward Jr. Navan.Ward@beasleyallen.com 18 th Annual Spring Retreat & Seminar Federal & State Regulations Federal Regs the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation More information NURSING HOME ABUSE AND NEGLECT
NURSING HOME ABUSE AND NEGLECT Michael Timberlake Siniard, Timberlake, and League 125 Holmes Avenue Huntsville, Alabama 35801 256-536-0770 timber@law-injury.com I. Introduction. Currently, there are approximately More information ATTORNEY HELP CENTER: MEDICAL MALPRACTICE
ATTORNEY HELP CENTER: MEDICAL MALPRACTICE The healthcare industry has exploded over the last thirty years. Combined with an increasing elderly population, thanks to the Baby Boomer generation, the general More information Nursing Homes: A Guidebook To Protect Against Abuse & Preserve Your Legal Rights
Nursing Homes: A Guidebook To Protect Against Abuse & Preserve Your Legal Rights Introduction The decision to enter a nursing facility is never easy. Ideally, nursing facilities provide a caring and safe More information ASSEMBLY BILL No. 597
Table of Contents 1. What should I do when the other driver s insurance company contacts me?... 1 2. Who should be paying my medical bills from a car accident injury?... 2 3. What should I do after the More information Illinois Supreme Court Requires Plaintiff to Apportion Settlements Among Successive Tortfeasors
Illinois Supreme Court Requires Plaintiff to Apportion Settlements Among Successive Tortfeasors By: Joseph B. Carini III & Catherine H. Reiter Cole, Grasso, Fencl & Skinner, Ltd. Illinois Courts have long More information 2013 IL App (3d) 120130-U. Order filed September 23, 2013 IN THE APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS THIRD DISTRICT A.D., 2013
H GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION HOUSE DRH-TG- (/01) D Short Title: Tort Reform Act of. (Public) Sponsors: Referred to: Representatives Blust and Daughtry (Primary Sponsors). 1 A BILL TO BE More information GLOSSARY OF SELECTED LEGAL TERMS
GLOSSARY OF SELECTED LEGAL TERMS Sources: US Courts : http://www.uscourts.gov/library/glossary.html New York State Unified Court System: http://www.nycourts.gov/lawlibraries/glossary.shtml Acquittal A More information What Everyone Needs to Know About Elder Abuse 1 Rebecca C. Morgan Stetson University College of Law
What Everyone Needs to Know About Elder Abuse 1 Rebecca C. Morgan Stetson University College of Law I. WHAT IS ELDER ABUSE? A. Although abuse, neglect and exploitation are separate problems with separate More information Senate Bill No. 292 Senator Roberson
Senate Bill No. 292 Senator Roberson CHAPTER... AN ACT relating to civil actions; providing immunity from civil actions for a board of trustees of a school district or the governing body of a charter school More information 6/29/2011. Introductions Background Michael F. Bonamarte Margaret P. Battersby. The Justice System s Role in Protecting Older Adults
The Role of the Private Attorney in Enforcing Elder Rights Through Litigation Michael F. Bonamarte, J.D. and Margaret P. Battersby, J.D., Levin & Perconti, Chicago Introductions Background Michael F. Bonamarte More information S.B. 88 126th General Assembly (As Introduced)
Elizabeth Dominic Bill Analysis Legislative Service Commission S.B. 88 126th General Assembly (As Introduced) Sens. Coughlin, Goodman BILL SUMMARY Requires the Superintendent of Insurance to establish More information Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia Policy Statement 1105.1 Effective date: 12/14/2000 Page 2
Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia Page 2 III. DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY The General Counsel is delegated authority pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 2672 to consider, ascertain, More information PRACTICE GUIDELINES MEMORANDUM. RE: Sample Bankruptcy Motions and Orders for Personal Injury Practitioners and Trustees
PRACTICE GUIDELINES MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: Attorneys Practicing Before Me And Other Interested Persons C. Timothy Corcoran, III United States Bankruptcy Judge DATE: January 3, 2000 1 RE: Sample Bankruptcy More information CLAIMS AGAINST TELEPHONE ANSWERING SERVICES: THE TRILOGY OF PREVENTION, HANDLING AND RESOLUTION PART TWO: WHAT TO DO WHEN A CLAIM HAPPENS
AN ACT IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Codification District of Columbia Official Code 2001 Edition 2007 Winter Supp. West Group Publisher To amend AN ACT To provide for regulation of certain More information Step-by-step guide to pursuing a medical negligence claim
Step-by-step guide to pursuing a medical negligence claim Suffering from medical negligence can be a painful and distressing experience for anyone. This short guide offers some advice to help people thinking More information THE THREAT OF BAD FAITH LITIGATION ETHICAL HANDLING OF CLAIMS AND GOOD FAITH SETTLEMENT PRACTICES. By Craig R. White
Do You Have a Case? Truck Accident ebooklet Andrew Miller 201 South 3rd Street Logansport, IN 46947 P: (574) 722-6676 www.starrausten.com Disclaimer No attempt is made to establish an attorney-client relationship More information ANNALS OF HEALTH LAW Advance Directive VOLUME 22 SPRING 2013 PAGES 99-107
ANNALS OF HEALTH LAW Advance Directive VOLUME 22 SPRING 2013 PAGES 99-107 Extension of Liability for Abuse Against Nursing Home Residents Under the Nursing Home Care Act Meghan Murray* I. INTRODUCTION More information Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers
Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers 2014 Granby Street, Suite 200 Norfolk, VA, 23517 (757) 455-0077 (866) 455-6657 (Toll Free) YOUR RIGHTS WHEN YOU ARE INJURED ON THE RAILROAD Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers 2014 More information No. 1-10-0602 IN THE APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT
SECOND DIVISION May 31, 2011 No. 1-10-0602 Notice: This order was filed under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 23 and may not be cited as precedent by any party except in the limited circumstances allowed under More information Referred to Committee on Judiciary. SUMMARY Revises provisions relating to certain civil actions involving negligence. (BDR 3-954)
S.B. SENATE BILL NO. SENATOR ROBERSON MARCH, Referred to Committee on Judiciary SUMMARY Revises provisions relating to certain civil actions involving negligence. (BDR -) FISCAL NOTE: Effect on Local Government: More information Covering Iowa Law and Courts: A Guide for Journalists. civil lawsuits for money damages. dissolution of marriage (divorce)
CHAPTER 3: Those cases that are not criminal prosecutions fall under the general heading of civil cases. There are five types of non-criminal cases most commonly seen in Iowa: civil lawsuits for money More information IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI JANE DOE INDIVIDUALLY ) and on BEHALF OF ) THE CLASS OF PERSONS ) DESIGNATED BY 537.080, ) ) Plaintiff, ) ) Case Number *************** vs. ) ) DEFENDANT More information Title 28-A: LIQUORS. Chapter 100: MAINE LIQUOR LIABILITY ACT. Table of Contents Part 8. LIQUOR LIABILITY...
DEALING WITH POLICE MISCONDUCT OR EXCESSIVE FORCE IN WISCONSIN Written by: Jonathan S. Safran This guide attempts to answer some of the most common questions and provides a basic understanding of the steps More information RIGHT Lawyers. Stacy Rocheleau, Esq. Gary Thompson, Esq.
rightlawyers.com RIGHT Lawyers Right Lawyers has successfully represented numerous clients in the areas of car accidents, work injuries, and slip and falls. The goal of this guide is to provide you answers More information Law and Motion Calendar Department Nine (10:00 a.m.) April 3, 2015
1. GOODIS v. THE PINES AT PLACERVILLE PC-20140319 (1) Defendant Virk s Demurrer to 1 st Amended Complaint. (2) Defendant Virk s Motion to Strike Portions of 1 st Amended Complaint. (3) Defendant Ang s More information The Effect of Product Safety Regulatory Compliance
PRODUCT LIABILITY Product Liability Litigation The Effect of Product Safety Regulatory Compliance By Kenneth Ross Product liability litigation and product safety regulatory activities in the U.S. and elsewhere More information Title XLV TORTS. Chapter 768 NEGLIGENCE. View Entire Chapter
Title XLV TORTS Chapter 768 NEGLIGENCE View Entire Chapter 768.28 Waiver of sovereign immunity in tort actions; recovery limits; limitation on attorney fees; statute of limitations; exclusions; indemnification; More information Quality Measures for Long-stay Residents Percent of residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased.
Quality Measures for Long-stay Residents Percent of residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased. This graph shows the percent of residents whose need for help doing basic daily tasks More information CHAPTER 9: NURSING HOME RESPONSIBILITIES REGARDING COMPLAINTS OF ABUSE, NEGLECT, MISTREATMENT AND MISAPPROPRIATION
CHAPTER 9: NURSING HOME RESPONSIBILITIES REGARDING COMPLAINTS OF ABUSE, NEGLECT, MISTREATMENT AND MISAPPROPRIATION 9.1. PURPOSE Effective protection of residents in long term care facilities from abuse, More information Managing Jones Act Personal Injury Litigation The Vessel Owner s Perspective. Lawrence R. DeMarcay, III
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOOL OF LAW LEGAL METHOD-CIVIL PROCEDURE (3 Hours) Day Division Wednesday, December 18, 1991 Professor Condlin - Section B 9:10 a.m. - 12:10 p.m. No. Signature: Printed Name: INSTRUCTIONS: More information Appendix I: Select Federal Legislative. Proposals Addressing Compensation for Asbestos-Related Harms or Death
Appendix I: Select Legislative Appendix I: Select Federal Legislative is and Mesothelioma Benefits Act H.R. 6906, 93rd 1973). With respect to claims for benefits filed before December 31, 1974, would authorize More information IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF WYANDOTTE COUNTY, KANSAS PLAINTIFF S PROPOSED JURY INSTRUCTIONS
IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF WYANDOTTE COUNTY, KANSAS KC Plaintiff ) ) Plaintiff, ) ) v. ) Case No.: 06 CV 1383 ) Defendant Doctor ) ) Defendant. ) PLAINTIFF S PROPOSED JURY INSTRUCTIONS Plaintiff submits More information QUESTION NO. 3. Amendment to Titles 1 and 3 of the Nevada Revised Statutes. CONDENSATION (ballot question)
QUESTION NO. 3 Amendment to Titles 1 and 3 of the Nevada Revised Statutes CONDENSATION (ballot question) Shall Title 1 of the Nevada Revised Statutes governing attorneys, and Title 3 of the Nevada Revised More information AN ACT IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
AN ACT IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA To amend the District of Columbia Procurement Practices Act of 1985 to make the District s false claims act consistent with federal law and thereby qualify More information UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI EASTERN DIVISION
February 15, 2016 Professional Practice 544 Tort Law and Insurance Michael J. Hanahan Schiff Hardin LLP 233 S. Wacker, Ste. 6600 Chicago, IL 60606 312-258-5701 mhanahan@schiffhardin.com Schiff Hardin LLP. More information WHAT IS A CASE FOR NURSING HOME ABUSE OR NEGLECT?
WHAT IS A CASE FOR NURSING HOME ABUSE OR NEGLECT? Michael R. O Connell The O Connell Law Firm, P.C., and thanks to Law Office of David A. Couch (Arkansas) 1780 S. Bellaire St., Ste 584 Denver, CO 80222 More information What to do when a lawyer dies:
What to do when a lawyer dies: Sounds like a line from a lawyer joke, but it s not. There are some serious considerations. Being mindful that the lawyer may have assumed the responsibility for thousands More information CHAPTER 2011-233. Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for House Bill No.
2009 Medical Malpractice Claims Report Department of Commerce & Insurance November 1, 2009 Table of Contents 2009 Tennessee Medical Malpractice Report INTRODUCTION...2 I. REPORTING ENTITIES...3 II. REPORTING More information PART III MEDICAID LIEN RECOVERY. 1) From the estate of the Medicaid recipient.
PART III MEDICAID LIEN RECOVERY 1. Basics: 1) For Medicaid benefits that are correctly paid, there are two major instances in which Medicaid may seek to impose and recover liens: 1) From the estate of More information A Guide for Larimer County Parents
Chapter 4 Crimes (Review) On a separate sheet of paper, write down the answer to the following Q s; if you do not know the answer, write down the Q. 1. What is a crime? 2. There are elements of a crime. More information A Guide for Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors
You are not alone. It was not your fault. You have courage. You have choices. You have power. We re here to help. A Guide for Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors Breaking the silence. Raising Awareness. Fighting More information Cohen. Battisti LEGAL ASSIGNMENT OF INSURANCE BENEFITS Attorneys at Law INSIDER SECRETS: ! 2%34/2!4)/.
Cohen INSIDER SECRETS: Battisti LEGAL Attorneys at Law ASSIGNMENT OF INSURANCE W R O N G F U L D E AT H BENEFITS! 2%34/2!4)/. 1211 ORANGE AVENUE, SUITE 200 WINTER PARK, FLORIDA 32789 #/-0!.9 3 '5)$% 4 More information UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA Richmond Division
PUBLISHED UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA Richmond Division IN RE: WILLIAM G. DADE ) Case No. 00-32487 ANN E. DADE ) Chapter 7 Debtors. ) ) ) DEBORAH R. JOHNSON ) Adversary More information CHAPTER 34 INFORMED CONSENT FOR THE NURSE
CHAPTER 34 INFORMED CONSENT FOR THE NURSE I. INTRODUCTION The goal of informed consent is patient autonomy or self-determination. To be autonomous, individuals must be able to control their bodies by controlling More information Compulsory Arbitration
Local Rule 1301 Scope. Compulsory Arbitration Local Rule 1301 Scope. (1) The following civil actions shall first be submitted to and heard by a Board of Arbitrators: (a) (b) (c) (d) Civil actions, proceedings More information PART 15--ADMINISTRATIVE CLAIMS UNDER FEDERAL TORT CLAIMS ACT
Note: This document contains FAR Part 15 including Amendment 15-4 published in the Federal Register on September 4, 1997. PART 15--ADMINISTRATIVE CLAIMS UNDER FEDERAL TORT CLAIMS ACT Subpart A--General More information Reed Armstrong Quarterly
Reed Armstrong Quarterly January 2009 http://www.reedarmstrong.com/default.asp Contributors: William B. Starnes II Tori L. Cox IN THIS ISSUE: Joint and Several Liability The Fault of Settled Tortfeasors More information MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR CERTIFIED NURSE AIDS
MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR CERTIFIED NURSE AIDS Title 15: Mississippi State Department of Health Part 3: Office of Health Protection Subpart 1: Health Facilities Licensure and Certification Post Office Box More information WHY IS STANDING OFTEN AN ISSUE IN ELDER FINANCIAL ABUSE ACTIONS?
Does Your Elder Have Standing? Steven Riess, J.D., LL.M. Who is the proper plaintiff in an elder financial abuse action? The answer to this question can sometimes be substantially more complex than first More information SPECIAL REPORT TRAIN INJURY CASE Protect Your Rights: 7 Mistakes That Can Derail Your Train Injury Case
SPECIAL REPORT TRAIN INJURY CASE Protect Your Rights: 7 Mistakes That Can Derail Your Train Injury Case If you are employed in the train industry, you should be aware of what to do should you become injured More information CIVIL LITIGATION PRACTICE FOR PARALEGALS. Many attorneys, paralegals and legal assistants refer to pleadings as all
CIVIL LITIGATION PRACTICE FOR PARALEGALS III. PREPARATION OF PLEADINGS Many attorneys, paralegals and legal assistants refer to pleadings as all court papers in the case. Technically speaking, the pleadings More information Minnesota False Claims Act
Minnesota False Claims Act (Minn. Stat. 15C.01 to.16) i 15C.01 DEFINITIONS Subdivision 1. Scope. --For purposes of this chapter, the terms in this section have the meanings given them. Subd. 2. Claim. More information SPECIAL TOPICS IN GUARDIANSHIP COMPROMISING CLAIMS FOR MINORS AND INCAPACITATED ADULTS. November 8, 2013
SPECIAL TOPICS IN GUARDIANSHIP COMPROMISING CLAIMS FOR MINORS AND INCAPACITATED ADULTS November 8, 2013 Stephanie F. Brown McMickle, Kurey & Branch 200 South Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009 (678) 824-7800 More information FURR & HENSHAW. 1900 Oak Street, P.O. Box 2909 Myrtle Beach, SC 29578 Phone: (843) 626-7621. and
FURR & HENSHAW 1900 Oak Street, P.O. Box 2909 Myrtle Beach, SC 29578 Phone: (843) 626-7621 and 1534 Blanding Street Columbia, SC 29201 Phone: (803) 252-4050 YOUR AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT CASE The purpose of More information Law and Motion Calendar Department Nine (10:00 a.m.) December 4, 2015. (2) Defendant Cheema s Motion to Strike Portions of 2 nd Amended Complaint.
1. GOODIS v. THE PINES AT PLACERVILLE PC-20140319 (1) Defendant Cheema s Demurrer to 2 nd Amended Complaint. (2) Defendant Cheema s Motion to Strike Portions of 2 nd Amended Complaint. (3) Defendant Ang More information As used in this chapter, the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following
Page 1 Massachusetts General Laws Annotated Currentness Part IV. Crimes, Punishments and Proceedings in Criminal Cases (Ch. 263-280) Title II. Proceedings in Criminal Cases (Ch. 275-280) Chapter 278A. More information Colorado s Civil Access Pilot Project and the Changing Landscape of Business Litigation
Medical Malpractice Reform 49 This Act to contains a clause wherein the state legislature asks the state Supreme Court to require a plaintiff filing a medical liability claim to include a certificate of More information Title 5: ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES AND SERVICES
Title 5: ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES AND SERVICES Chapter 316-A: VICTIMS' COMPENSATION FUND Table of Contents Part 9. CRIMINAL JUSTICE PLANNING AND ASSISTANCE... Section 3360. DEFINITIONS... 3 Section 3360-A. More information FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPARTMENT Chief David L. Perry
FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPARTMENT Chief David L. Perry 830 West Jefferson Street 850-644-1234 VICTIMS' RIGHTS BROCHURE YOUR RIGHTS AS A VICTIM OR WITNESS: ------- We realize that for many persons, More information An Overview of the Florida Statutes Dealing with Elder Abuse
An Overview of the Florida Statutes Dealing with Elder Abuse By: Joseph W. Jay Fleece, III 2014 BaskinFleece Historically, Florida has a large retirement population most of whom are over the age of 65. More information History of the Workers' Compensation Court For the Senate Joint Resolution No. 23 Study
Author: Attorney Dan A. Riegleman N63 W23965 Main Street Sussex, Wisconsin 53089 Prepared: 06/01/10 WHITE PAPER: DR2504 Addressing Abusive Lawyer Conduct in Relation to Litigation Proceedings There are More information CAUSE NO. D-1-GN-08-003432. BRYN DUFFY, MD and IN THE DISTRICT COURT SUSANNE MATTSSON DUFFY. Defendant. TRAVIS COUNTY, TEXAS
CAUSE NO. D-1-GN-08-003432 BRYN DUFFY, MD and IN THE DISTRICT COURT SUSANNE MATTSSON DUFFY Plaintiffs, v. 353 RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF TEXAS MEDICAL LIABILITY TRUST Defendant. TRAVIS COUNTY, TEXAS PLAINTIFFS More information What Trustees Should Know About Florida s New Attorneys Fee Statute. By David P. Hathaway and David J. Akins. Introduction
What Trustees Should Know About Florida s New Attorneys Fee Statute By David P. Hathaway and David J. Akins Introduction More and more lawsuits are filed in Florida alleging that the trustee of a trust More information FLORIDA WRONGFUL DEATH ACT
FLORIDA WRONGFUL DEATH ACT (STATUTES) Disclaimer: This is part of the 2012 version of Florida Statutes and it is offered for general information purposes. The statutes on this site should not be relied More information Any civil action exempt from arbitration by action of a presiding judge under ORS 36.405.
CHAPTER 13 Arbitration 13.010 APPLICATION OF CHAPTER (1) This UTCR chapter applies to arbitration under ORS 36.400 to 36.425 and Acts amendatory thereof but, except as therein provided, does not apply More information Personal Injury Law: Minnesota Medical Malpractice
Personal Injury Law: Minnesota Medical Malpractice Medical Malpractice Terms Statutes of Limitations Minnesota Medical Malpractice Laws Medical malpractice includes many forms of liability producing conduct More information TEXAS. Downloaded January 2011
TEXAS Downloaded January 2011 Sec. 242.402. QUALITY OF CARE. An institution shall provide to each resident the necessary care or service needed to enable the resident to attain and maintain the highest More information THE TRIAL OF A LEGAL MALPRACTICE CASE: SELECTED PRACTICAL ISSUES BY: DAVID C. PISHKO ELLIOT PISHKO MORGAN, P.A. WINSTON-SALEM, NC
THE TRIAL OF A LEGAL MALPRACTICE CASE: SELECTED PRACTICAL ISSUES BY: DAVID C. PISHKO ELLIOT PISHKO MORGAN, P.A. WINSTON-SALEM, NC The trial of a legal malpractice action raises several practical issues More information TITLE I REDUCTION OF ABUSIVE LITIGATION
109 STAT. 737 Public Law 104 67 104th Congress An Act To reform Federal securities litigation, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America More information UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK STEVEN BABCOCK, on behalf of the Computer Management Sciences Inc., Employee Stock Ownership Plan Trust, and himself and all others similarly situated, More information 112 Ohio St.3d 17, 2006 Ohio 6362 (December 20, 2006).
I. ROBINSON V.BATES, 112 Ohio St.3d 17, 2006 Ohio 6362 (December 20, 2006). A. Landlord-tenant case In Hamilton County, Ohio, Plaintiff tenant sued her landlord for personal injuries caused when she broke More information PROCEDURAL PROVISIONS IN NEVADA MEDICAL MALPRACTICE REFORM. Carl Tobias*
PROCEDURAL PROVISIONS IN NEVADA MEDICAL MALPRACTICE REFORM Carl Tobias* In late July 2002, a special session of the Nevada Legislature passed medical malpractice reform legislation. 1 The expressly-stated More information MEDICAL RECORDS ACCESS GUIDE IOWA
MEDICAL RECORDS ACCESS GUIDE IOWA Parsonage Vandenack Williams LLC Attorneys at Law Parsonage Vandenack Williams LLC 2008 For more information, contact info@pvwlaw.com TABLE OF CONTENTS Iowa...1 Patient More information CAUSE NO. DC-12-07825