AZ Long-Term Care Facility Wins Defense Verdict In Arbitration
On March 8, 2010, a three-party arbitration panel awarded a defense verdict to Life Care Centers of America and their Glendale Care Center in the case Ridgely v. Life Care. Plaintiff sought compensatory and punitive damages.
This case involved a five-week rehabilitation and treatment residency of Luesettia Ridgely. Ms. Ridgley, then 79 years old, was admitted to Glendale Care Center for rehabilitation following an injury at home. Plaintiff claims abuse and neglect regarding development of a UTI, alleged failure to timely report an elevated temperature, failure to determine the cause of and resolve ongoing nausea and vomiting, weight loss, development of a pressure sore, pain management, delay in notification to a doctor of an ear infection, underfunding, and understaffing.
Prior to arbitration, plaintiff voluntarily withdrew her causes of actions against the administrator and punitive damages claim. Life Care won summary judgment on claims of substandard care regarding the UTI, the elevated temperature, nausea and vomiting, pain management, and underfunding. After three and a half days of trial, the three-party panel directed a verdict for Life Care on the claims of weight loss, pressure sore, and understaffing. The arbitration panel then awarded a defense verdict on the remaining claim regarding delayed notification of a doctor of the ear infection.
Life Care was represented by Jill Goldsmith and Jesse Anderson, Bowman and Brooke LLP.
Plaintiff was represented by Elizabeth Gilbert, Wilkes and McHugh.