Calif. jury determines nursing home company should pay nearly $30 million in resident’s death
By APThursday, May 13, 2010
CA jury awards $29.1 million in nursing home death
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Jurors have determined a Northern California-based nursing home chain should pay nearly $30 million in damages over the death of a 79-year-old former Stockton woman.
The award comes after the Sacramento County Superior Court jury on Wednesday found Colonial Healthcare of Auburn and its parent company, Rocklin-based Horizon West Healthcare Inc., guilty of elder abuse in the death of Frances Tanner in 2005.
After hearing testimony about the company’s finances, jurors on Thursday determined the companies should pay $28 million in punitive damages to Tanner’s estate and her daughter, Elizabeth Pao.
The punitive damages are in addition to the $1.1 million in compensatory damages the jury awarded Wednesday.
A spokesman for Horizon West says the company will contest the verdict.
