$30.9 Million Including $25 Million in Punitive Damages in Jury Verdict in Failure to Prevent, Treat Pressure Sores

Sam Rios Jr., 86, was admitted to Pine Creek Care Center for a rehabilitation stay after suffering a fractured hip. Over the next two weeks, he developed two pressure sores. One of the pressure sores was diagnosed as being Stage IV. Rios died almost a year later and suffered pain and debilitation until his passing.

Rios’ successor in interest and his children sued Daisy Holdings LLC, Pine Creek’s parent company, and other corporate entities, alleging elder abuse, under-staffing, custodial negligence, constructive fraud, violation of patient rights, wrongful death and alter ego liability.

The lawsuit alleged that these defendants had placed profits over patient care, chose not to prevent Rios from developing the pressure sores and failed to properly care for Rios once the pressure sores were identified.

The jury signed a verdict for over $30.9 million, including $25 million in punitive damages. The trial court denied the defendants’ motion for a new trial and awarded attorney’s fees.

The attorneys successfully handling this tragic case for the Rios family were Edward P. Dudensing, Jay P. Renneisen and Andrew J. Collins.

At trial, the Rios attorneys presented experts in geriatrics, nursing and staffing, and accounting.

The defendants presented experts in economics, pressure wound prevention, geriatrics and long-term facility financial data.

Rios v. Daisy Holdings, LLC, No. 34-2018-00244263-CU-PA-CDS (Cal. Super. Ct. Sacramento County).

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling nursing home pressure sores lawsuits, wrongful death cases, nursing home abuse lawsuits, nursing home negligence cases for individuals, families and loved ones who have been harmed, injured or died as a result of the carelessness or negligence of a medical provider for more than 45 years in and around Chicago, Cook County and its surrounding areas, including Berwyn, Romeoville, Kenilworth, Northbrook, Highwood, Homewood, Olympia Fields, Mettawa, Mundelein, Buffalo Grove, Vernon Hills, Wheeling, Prospect Heights, Des Plaines, Bellwood, LaGrange, South Barrington, Bedford Park, Willow Springs, Wood Dale, Oak Lawn, Hickory Hills, Chicago (Ford City, Ashburn, West Englewood, Back of the Yards, Fuller Park, North Kenwood, Lower West Side, North Lawndale, Hermosa, Belmont Central, Mont Clair, Wildwood, Edison Park, Union Ridge, Oriole Park, Kimball, Old Irving Park, Lincoln Park, Park West, Old Town, Ukrainian Village, Humboldt Park, Garfield Park), Berkeley, Hillside, Oakbrook Terrace, and Lyons, Ill.

Robert D. Kreisman has been an active member of the Illinois and Missouri bars since 1976.