RELATED STORIES
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
Man Awarded Over $2.6 Million After Falls at Las Vegas Health Care Facility
A Clark County jury has determined that a Las Vegas health care facility must pay a man more than $2.6 million after he sustained serious injuries from multiple falls while under their care. The incidents occurred in 2020 at Silver Hills Health Care Center, a 155-bed nursing and rehabilitation facility situated near N. Buffalo Drive and W. Cheyenne Avenue.
Background of the Case
The man, identified as Kurtis M. Roberts, underwent stereotactic deep brain stimulation procedures at Sunrise Hospital to treat advanced Parkinson’s disease. Following the procedures, he was admitted to Silver Hills for inpatient physical and occupational therapy due to the physical and mental impairments he experienced as a result of the treatment.
Series of Falls
Roberts suffered falls on multiple occasions during his stay at Silver Hills, leading to a spinal fracture and delaying his recovery from the deep brain stimulation procedures. Despite having a high fall risk assessment score upon admission, the facility allegedly failed to implement proper fall precautions, update care plans, and provide adequate supervision.
Negligence Ruling
After a trial, the jury found Silver Hills negligent for four of the five falls, awarding Roberts a total of $2,616,848 in damages. This verdict is significant as it exceeds the typical cap for non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases in Nevada.
Legal Implications
Roberts’ lawyer, Gerald Gillock, highlighted the importance of holding facilities accountable for common negligence in preventing falls and ensuring patient safety. The case serves as a reminder of the duty of care owed to vulnerable individuals in healthcare settings.
Overall, the ruling sets a precedent for cases involving ordinary negligence in medical facilities and underscores the importance of maintaining standards of care to prevent avoidable harm to patients.
.