The Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani Health Care team, including Sacramento Partner Linda Mullany and St. Louis Partner Jason Winslow, joined forces to obtain an outstanding trial result in Los Angeles, California, on behalf of a large California skilled nursing facility group for a case with allegations of negligence, elder abuse, violations of the patients’ bill of rights, willful misconduct, and wrongful death.
The plaintiffs named the facility as well as three additional entities and an individual under theories of alter ego and joint venture. The plaintiffs claimed the facility was intentionally understaffed in order to maximize profits, which led to inadequate care. Just three weeks before trial, Winslow stepped in to defend the case at trial, supported by Sacramento Senior Counsel Matt Izu and St. Louis Associate Jeff Abney. The team secured non-suits on the alter ego and joint venture claims, and Winslow won over the jury with his adept presentation of the case, demonstrating the resident arrived at the facility in a weakened state and passed away due to their ongoing chronic health issues. After a trial spanning 14 days, the plaintiffs asked for $6.4 million plus punitive damages.
The jury returned a verdict of $118,500, a third of the defense pre-trial statutory offer, on negligence only, and the elder abuse motion for non-suit was granted post-evidence.
The team secured this outcome with the invaluable assistance and support of Sacramento Legal Secretary Cindy Wallin, Paralegal Heather Domenico, Certified Legal Nurse Consultant Suzanne Arragg, San Francisco Partner Richard Finn, and many other team members who also contributed.