Personal Injury Lawyers in New York

Lori Keith of New Mexico has been awarded $54 million in the wrongful death lawsuit filed on behalf of her deceased mother. Keith was awarded compensatory and punitive damages in Albuquerque as a state District Court jury ruled ManorCare Inc., a nursing home corporation out of Toledo, Ohio, so neglected her mother in 2004 that the 78-year-old woman died.

At the time of her death, Barbara Barber was scheduled to leave the nursing home within a week to stay with family. Then a phone call came reporting Mrs. Barber's death; her daughter knew something was not right. According to the lawsuit, the nursing home tried to cover up the death by removing the patient's sheet and other items from the room.

Keith said all she wanted was an admission of guilt in her mother's death. Keith did not get that admission of guilt. Instead, the nursing home issued the following statement: "We extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Mrs. Barber. The company is very sympathetic with the struggles Mrs. Barber had with her health prior to her death. However, we deny any negligence in this case and feel our care for her was appropriate. Unfortunately, illness and deterioration of health in an elderly patient can occur despite appropriate care."

Keith said the money is secondary to the relief that comes with closure; she and her lawyers expect the nursing home corporation to appeal the jury's verdict.

If you or a loved one has suffered or died due to nursing home negligence or abuse in New York City, Long Island—including Nassau and Suffolk Counties, please contact the Nursing Home Negligence Law Offices of Silberstein, Awad & Miklos.