$30 Million Nursing Home Jury Verdict with Punitive Damages

Martha Pierce, 83, suffered a stroke and became partially paralyzed and weak on her right side. She required additional assistance from her nursing facility, the Allenbrooke Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. One of the nursing home’s staff members identified Stage IV pressure ulcers on Pierce’s right foot. Even in view of that serious condition, the ulcers were allowed to worsen and Pierce developed sepsis. As a result, she required an above-the-knee amputation of her right leg and died four months later.

Pierce’s estate and family sued the nursing home and several corporate entities, claiming negligence in violation of the state’s Nursing Home Protection Act. The jury entered a verdict of $30 million, which included $28 million in punitive damages.

The attorneys representing Martha Pierce’s family were Kenneth L. Connor, Carey Acerra and Cameron Jehl.

Hatfield v. Allenbrooke Nursing & Rehab Center, LLC, No. CT-0004249-10 (Tenn. Dist. Ct. Shelby County, Aug. 18, 2016).

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling nursing home abuse cases, nursing home negligence cases and wrongful death cases for individuals and families who have been harmed, injured or died as a result of the carelessness or negligence of a medical provider for more than 40 years in and around Chicago, Cook County and its surrounding areas, including Oak Lawn, Evergreen Park, Merrionette Park, Blue Island, Calumet Park, Cicero, Joliet, Alsip, Aurora, Mount Prospect, Bolingbrook, Waukegan, Bedford Park, Chicago (Marquette Park, Beverly, Washington Heights, Lake Calumet, East Side, Grand Crossing, Woodlawn, Hyde Park, Bridgeport, Canaryville, Bronzeville, Chinatown, South Shore, Jackson Park), Maywood and Yorkfield, Ill.