Family Settles Wrongful Death Lawsuit with 2 Nursing Homes
After nearly a full week of trial, a Missoula family and two nursing homes settled a wrongful death case out of court this week, coming to terms that were “agreeable to all parties,” according to a statement from attorneys in the case.
All matters against the nursing homes have been dismissed, though neither party can disclose the settlement amount because those terms are confidential.
Paul Teagle, a spokesman for both Riverside Health Care Center and the Village Health Care Center, the two nursing homes involved in the lawsuit, said in a statement that he was pleased with the settlement agreement.
“We are pleased we could reach an agreement with the Seewald family and appreciate the overwhelming support received from our staff, residents and their families,” Teagle said. “We place our residents at the center of everything we do, and are sympathetic to the family for their loss of a loved one.”
Family members of the late Ralph Seewald alleged that the nursing homes acted negligently when they failed to provide adequate health care for the 87-year-old man, who died in November 2005 of a blood infection. Seewald fell and fractured his neck during a transfer from his wheelchair, an accident that left him bedridden; he then developed severe pressure ulcers that worsened over a period of months, and led to a fatal case of gangrene in his leg.
Both the wheelchair transfer and the treatment of his bedsores were inadequate, the lawsuit alleged, and fell outside the standard of care promised to the family.
Following the settlement, Roger Seewald, the personal representative of his father’s estate, expressed satisfaction with the agreement. Seewald also expressed his appreciation for all the support his family received throughout this process.
The lawsuit, filed in Missoula District Court, named as defendants: Riverside Health Care Center; Village Health Care Center; the Goodman Group, which is the parent company that operates both Missoula nursing homes; and Dr. Raymond Howard, the physician assigned to oversee Seewald’s care.
The Seewald family sought relief for negligence, medical malpractice, wrongful death, deceit, breach of contract, fraud and others. Through the lawsuit, the family sought compensation for pain and suffering, mental anguish, severe emotional distress, grief, sorrow, medical and funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and other damages caused by the defendants’ alleged negligence. The family also sought punitive damages.
Rob Kornfeld is an Everett Wrongful Death Attorney who handles wrongful death claims in the areas of medical malpractice, construction, maritime, motor vehicle collisions, nursing home and other areas where a wrongful death is caused by another’s negligence.
Rob is happy to discuss your case with you and your family. Email Rob at Rob@Kornfeldlaw.com or call 1 (800) 282-4878 to discuss your situation in the utmost of privacy and sensitivity or to schedule a free consultation or case evaluation over the telephone, by e-mail or in person at a convenient location for you, either at our main office, a satellite meeting location, in your home or at the hospital.
DUI Suspected in Fatal Everett Car Wreck
Police believe an intoxicated woman driving the wrong direction on Broadway caused a head-on crash Friday that killed two people and left two others with serious injuries.
The accident happened about 9:30 p.m. in the southbound lanes of Broadway at 41st Street.
Police arrested a woman for investigation of vehicular homicide, drunken driving and vehicular assault, Everett police Sgt. Robert Goetz said.
She was at the wheel of a Nissan Xterra sport utility vehicle when it crashed head-on into a Nissan SX two-door coupe that was carrying four people.
Police believe the woman in the SUV was driving northbound in the southbound lanes of Broadway when the wreck occurred, Goetz said. She apparently was unharmed in the crash.
A woman who was driving the car that the SUV struck died at the scene, as did one of her passengers, a man, Goetz said. Two other passengers, both men, remained hospitalized Saturday with serious injuries, Goetz said.
A passenger in the SUV was treated for injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening.
The names and ages of those involved in the accident were not available Saturday.
The southbound freeway entrance to I-5 remained closed for several hours Friday night as detectives gathered evidence.
Impaired driving is the leading cause of traffic deaths in the state, according to the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission. More than a third of fatal crashes that occurred in Snohomish County last year involved drinking and driving, the commission’s data shows.
Last year’s toll includes two Clearview couples killed by a drunken driver on Nov. 29 while they were driving on Highway 9 in Marysville.
Friday’s crash is another tragic reminder that drinking and driving can have horrific consequences, Washington State Patrol trooper Keith Leary said.
“That’s why we are out there every day, trying to get impaired drivers off the road,” he said.
As part of a statewide effort to eliminate traffic deaths, the patrol uses marked and unmarked patrols cars and helicopters to look for impaired drivers on state roads.
If you or a family member has been injured or like in this case worse it can be a tough time. Financial compensation may be the last thing on your mind when you are severely hurt or you have lost a loved one, but time is of essence to pursue any personal injury or wrongful death claim. Learn more from Everett Personal Injury Lawyer Rob Kornfeld.
Two pedestrians hospitalized after being hit by car near Boise Airport
Boise police have reopened Airport Way near the Vista Avenue intersection by the Boise Airport but continue to investigate a car vs. pedestrian crash that sent a man and woman to the hospital.
The crash happened at 6:20 a.m. Tuesday.
Witnesses told police a man and woman were on the east side of Vista Avenue, crossing Airport Way north to south, toward the airport, in an crosswalk, when they were hit by a car, traveling south on Vista and turning east on to Airport Way.
Boise police say the couple’s injuries do not appear life threatening, but the man’s injuries appear to be more serious. The couple was on their way to the airport to catch a flight, police say.
Boise police are reconstructing the crash and still trying to figure out what happened. There is a traffic light at the intersection and police are trying to determine who had the right of way at the time of the crash.
No charges have been filed by 7:30 a.m.
Airport Way was closed to traffic until about 10 a.m.
Check back at Idahostatesman.com later for more details.
Mr. Kornfeld has represented clients struck in cross walks, cyclists struck by cars, and passengers on buses injured due to the negligence of a bus driver. In addition, Mr. Kornfeld has represented the estates of pedestrians who have been killed in wrongful death actions involving county or city metro buses. Read more from Everett Pedestrian Accident Lawyers.
2 Washington Men Badly Hurt in Fall From Scaffolding
Two men in their 30s were working on a house in the 3900 block of 48th Avenue South on Wednesday when they fell off the scaffolding at about 2 p.m., according to a Seattle fire official.
The men fell about 30 feet and suffered life-threatening injuries. Both were taken to Harborview Medical Center.
If you have been hurt by a slip and fall accident in Everett, Washington you may be able to recover damages or be compensated for what you have lost due to the injury. You are welcome to contact our Everett slip and fall accident lawyers for a free consultation to go over you potential claim.
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Q. Should I stay in my car after an accident or get out?
A. Remain in the car if you feel dizzy or feel any pain. Do you best to remain calm and avoid changing positions. It is far better to wait for ambulance or EMT than to end up crippled for life. No insurance claim is going to give your mobility back.
If your airbag deployed, there may be some haze in the car, but there is no need to get out of the car hastily unless you see fire or smell smoke. If the car isn’t a safe place to be, get out of the car, and get as far away from any traffic as possible.
