Our
work as elder abuse attorneys has not gone un-noticed. Many of our
client's stories have been heard and published in the California press.
 |
| Mary Shofner |
Testimonials: Hear from others who have been heard "It
was like seeing the light, that there was hope that someone was going
to help me. I was so desperate when I got here. I really felt like my
grandmother was going to die there with no one to help me. And Jody
helped me." (Interview with Jenifer).
THE RESULTS OF BEING HEARD:
Listed
below are brief summaries of some of the cases our lawfirm has filed.
The allegations below are taken from the complaints, which are public
documents on file at the Superior Court of California in the counties
of Ventura, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles:
Case: Moore v. Doe Nursing Home:
This case involved the wrongful death and neglect of Mr. Moore, who
developed bedsores, malnutrition, dehydration and sepsis (systemic
infection). The case settled confidentially in 2006.
Case: Beam v. Sphinx Investment & Mgt. (dba Harbor Pointe Chalet, Oxnard):
Gloris Beam was profoundly neglected at this residential care facility
for the elderly, suffering multiple stage III and IV bedsores,
malnutrition, dehydration and weight loss, infection, and ultimately
death. In a default prove up hearing in November 2005, the court
awarded in excess of $2,000,000 in compensatory and punitive damages,
as well as attorneys' fees and costs.
Case: Ortiz v. Venturan Convalescent Hospital: A
nursing home resident fell through a plate glass patio window suffering
a hip fracture which went undiagnosed for an extended period of
time. In this case, we were able to get a settlement on behalf of
the resident in the fall of 2005.
Case: Stewart v. Shoreline Care Center:
Ms. Stewart was utterly dependent on nursing home staff for all care
needs due to her advanced dementia and many medical conditions.
An unexplained event resulted in bilateral femur fractures. No
trauma or incident was ever documented or reported. This matter
was settled confidentially in the fall of 2005.
Case: Varela v. Kindred (Maywood Acres, Oxnard):
This case was an action for wrongful death and untreated
infection. This case involved allegations of chronic
understaffing and a history of regulatory violations by the
facility. The matter was settled confidentially shortly before
trial was scheduled to commence in the fall of 2004.
Case: Mulchy v. County Oaks Nursing Center:
The elderly nursing home resident in this case was profoundly
malnourished and suffered very serious bedsores and infection, which
caused unnecessary pain and suffering, and ultimately her death.
The nursing home did not carry liability insurance. My firm,
together with co-counsel specializing in elder abuse, was able to
successfully negotiate a settlement in the fall of 2004.
Case: Shofner v. Kindred (Maywood Acres, Oxnard):
The four children of Mary Shofner, age 72, brought a claim for wrongful
death and elder abuse based on allegations that she developed multiple,
severe bedsores which became infected, she suffered profound weight
loss of 26 pounds in 12 weeks, she suffered from contractures,
unmanaged pain, poor hygiene, and multiple infections. The matter
settled in February 2004 for $1,000,000.00.
Case: Detmer v. Southern California Association of Seventh Day Adventist (Ventura Estates): The
daughter of Julia Detmer, age 91, brought a claim for wrongful death
and elder abuse after she suffered from multiple falls at the
defendant's Skilled Nursing Facility. Even though Ms. Detmer kept
falling at the facility, they failed to change their approach to her
care; to add additional safeguards; to hire more staff or better
trained staff to prevent additional falls. Ms. Detmer's final fall
resulted in a severe head injury which caused her death. This matter
was confidentially resolved prior to a jury trial in August of 2003.
Case: Michelson v. Marriott Senior Living Services, Inc.: Albert
Michelson was 70 years old and father of six when he was placed in
Marriott Senior Living Facility because he needed assistance with all
of his activities of daily living. At meals, Mr. Michelson needed
extensive assistance including supervision; special adaptive utensils;
and for his food to be cut for him before it was served to him. Three
days before Christmas, his food was served to him uncut and he was left
unsupervised while eating lunch. He ate the ham steak served to him,
choked and died. This matter was confidentially resolved in 2003.
Case: Lee v. Villa Rose: Patricia
Lee was 78 years old, she was wheel chair bound and partially paralyzed
from a stroke. While under Villa Rose's care, she was left unattended
in a room only accessible by a steep ramp. Ms. Lee attempted to leave
the building and rolled down the ramp out of control and was thrown
from her wheelchair. She suffered a massive head injury and died as a
result of her injuries. This matter was confidentially resolved in
2002.
Case: Valentic v. Centinela Park: Camile Valentic
was 80 years old when she was admitted to the Centinela Park senior
nursing facility. Upon admission, she was able to walk, talk, and had
no skin breakdown. Within weeks, Ms. Valentic became bed bound,
developed multiple bed sores, stopped talking and became totally
withdrawn. Ms. Valentic required surgery for the infected bedsores. She
died a short time after being transferred out of the Centinela Park
facility. This matter was confidentially resolved in 2002.
Case: Smith v. Sunbridge: Grace
Smith was an elderly woman residing in a Sunbridge nursing facility.
The Sunbridge staff failed to respond to her decline in health until it
was too late. She died as a result of the failure to get prompt medical
attention. This matter was confidentially resolved in 2001.
MEDIA COVERAGE: PUBLICATIONS AND ARTICLES
Stories and Feature Articles in:
- Ventura County Reporter, An Issue For the Ages, cover story, April 2002
- Los Angeles Times, April 2002
- Ventura County Star Free Press, April 2002
- Ventura County Star Free Press, May 2002
- Citations, Ventura County Bar Association, cover story on Elder Abuse, September 2002
- Santa Barbara News Press, November 2002
- KEYT News, August 2003
- Los Angeles Times, September 2003
- Ventura County Star Free Press, October 2003
- Citations, Ventura County Bar Association February 2004
- Ventura County Star, February 2004
- Los Angeles Times, February 2004
- Citations, Ventura County Bar Association, March 2004
