Arkansas Court Finds That Nursing Home Negligence and Malpractice Warrants Significant Compensatory and Punitive Damages; Supreme Court Declines Review
Advocat, Inc. vs. Sauer, 111 S.W.3d 346 (Ark. 2003), cert. denied, 124 S. Ct. 532 (U.S. 2003)
A nursing home resident in Arkansas suffering from Alzheimer's Disease died from severe malnutrition and dehydration. There was considerable evidence that the resident did not receive proper care and suffered considerably; that the misconduct involved repeated actions; that the facility, part of a large chain of assisted living facilities, was short-staffed to maximize profits and this practice continued even after complaints by staff members, patients, and family members; and that efforts were made to conceal deficiencies, including bringing in extra employees on state-inspection days...