Home / Crime and Justice / Jury Awards $12.5M After Nursing Home Resident's Fatal Fall
Jury Awards $12.5M After Nursing Home Resident's Fatal Fall
11 Jun
Summary
- An 83-year-year-old woman died after a fall at a nursing home.
- A jury awarded $12.5 million in damages, including punitive damages.
- The nursing home was found to have breached its duty of care.
In March 2024, an 83-year-old woman died after a fall at Chesterwood Village nursing home in West Chester, Ohio. The resident, Janice Combs, was admitted in June 2023 for rehabilitation following a fall at her home. Nine days after admission, she fell again at the facility, sustaining a head injury that was later diagnosed as a brain bleed.
The jury trial lasted nine days, culminating in a unanimous verdict for the plaintiffs. Chesterwood Village was found to have breached its standard of care, directly causing Ms. Combs' injuries and death. The jury awarded a total of $12.5 million, including $1.5 million in punitive damages.
Jurors determined that the nursing home violated Ohio's Nursing Home Residents' Bill of Rights. The family expressed that the verdict brings justice for their mother, emphasizing that the monetary amount was secondary to honoring her. The nursing home stated they strongly disagree with the verdict and are exploring legal options.
