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In an almost unbelievable and harrowing tale of negligence, disregard for human life, and dignity, Levon Ndaw, a former resident of MidSouth Health and Rehabilitation Center, suffered and met her untimely death in 2017. The nursing staff of the facility proved incompetent and unfit to meet the demands required of their profession. As a result, the case became a testament to the dangers posed by healthcare facilities that consider profits before patients and the grave consequences of such negligence.
Poor Care and Treatment
Ms. Ndaw was under the care of MidSouth Health and Rehabilitation Center when she developed severe pressure sores, primarily because of the staff's failure to turn and reposition her at the right moments. Proper care and repositioning are vital protocols in nursing homes to prevent such sores from appearing. Unfortunately, in Ms. Ndaw's case, these preventable sores escalated to terrible levels, leading to infections and surgical procedures.
Even with these interventions, there was a rapid decline in her health due to the sores. The sad part was that all these issues would have been prevented had the nursing home's staff acted professionally.
Justice for Levon Ndaw
If Levon Ndaw deserved justice, it would be because of a good team; in stepped Jehl Law Group, PLLC. They represented Ms. Ndaw's estate and family by taking up the case against the nursing home and its management company. As the legal battle wore on, it revealed even more shocking details.
For starters, MidSouth Health and Rehabilitation Center exhibited gross irresponsibility by failing to respond to the lawsuit. Accordingly, the Court acknowledged their oversight and granted a default judgement against them. This action would lead to a bench trial focused solely on assessing the damages.
Jehl Law Group, PLLC presented compelling evidence during the trial, putting the nursing home's treatment, or lack thereof, of Ms. Ndaw under scrutiny. Further, the court listened to testimonies from devastated family members, which painted a picture of a woman whose last days were marked by worrisome pain and neglect. Medical experts testified about the inadequate and inept standard of care, emphasising how such negligence led to the development of severe pressure sores that became the root cause of Ms. Ndaw's anguish and eventual death.
More worryingly, the nursing home seemed to be involved in an attempt to cover-up the events leading to Ms. Ndaw's death. Evidence suggested that they withheld vital medical records and fraudulently filled entries aimed at evading any liability. These nefarious tactics spoke volumes about the home's top priority: profit over genuine care for its residents.
Establishing a Pattern
The Jehl Law Group, PLLC would accept none of that and stopped at nothing to expose the deep-seated issues in MidSouth Health and Rehabilitation Center. To that extent, they presented proof that the nursing home had an established practice of understaffing, resulting in a stretched staff and compromised patient care. Also, necessary supplies were lacking, further accentuating the poor conditions under which residents like Ms. Ndaw lived.
Given the egregiousness of the nursing home's actions, the court reached a conclusion that the usual statutory cap on damages wouldn't apply. In their judgement, they underlined the nursing home's recklessness and their conscious disregard for residents' care and welfare. A behaviour, they concluded, was deserving of punitive damages.
Finding Some Reprieve
In a triumphant moment for justice and for Ms. Ndaw, the court's ruling serves as a stern warning for healthcare facilities that neglect their primary duty of care, thanks to profit-driven motives. Accordingly, the Jehl Law Group, PLLC, secured a substantial judgement against the nursing home. MidSouth Health and Rehabilitation Center was ordered to pay a hefty
$3,500,000.00.
This judgement is an essential call to action for stricter rules, regulations, and increased oversight. The primary goals, aims, and objectives of such facilities must be reaffirmed. Their original purpose remains providing compassionate, comprehensive, and competent care to all residents.