subject: Nursing Home Negligence -- Jury Award of $500,000 for Death of 100 Year Old Woman! [print this page] Greg Eiesland of the law firm of Johnson Eiesland Law Offices, PC, in Rapid City, South Dakota prosecuted the case of The Estate of Helen Bumgardner vs. Firesteel Nursing Home in September of 2010. Helen was a 100 year old nursing home resident who was the victim of negligence at the nursing home. Helen's two sons filed the lawsuit claiming their mother died because of the negligence and carelessness she had suffered under the care provided by Firesteel Healthcare Center.
Helenenjoyed her family, friends, church and the other residents at her nursing home. Firesteel violated safety rules and doctor's orders causing Helen to fall and break several bones. She died 31 days later. An employee of Firesteel Nursing Home first denied any involvement in Helen's injuries, claiming she was putting Helen back in bed when Helen fell backward and struck her head on the wall. The employee later admitted that she had been helping Helen get off of the toilet in the bathroom when Helenfell and hit her head on the floor.
The jury agreed that Helen's life should not have been cut short by the neglect of the nursing home. The jury awarded $500,000 for the death of Helen Bumgardner. Greg Eiesland argued in closing argument that "it makes a difference how a person dies." Helen should have been able to live out her natural life with competent personal care.
The verdict has gathered national attention because it encompassed the sanctity of life and an elderly person's right to dignity and adequate care. The verdict also reflected that there is substantial value to a life even when a person is over 100 years old.
Nursing Home Negligence -- Jury Award of $500,000 for Death of 100 Year Old Woman!
By: Gregory A. Eiesland
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