Senior Living Resident Awarded $3.6 Million in Lawsuit Over Biting and Assault by Another Resident

A jury awarded $3 million in punitive damages to a 76-year-old senior living resident with dementia who was bitten and assaulted by another resident of Peregrine Senior Living in Aurora, Colorado. The Arapahoe County jury also awarded $600,000 in punitive damages to the resident and his wife to cover medical bills and damages.

The resident’s attorney said the assault was allowed to happen because of a lack of staffing. This is why the facility, the director in particular, attempted to cover up the incident.

The attorney also said the facility was more concerned about finances than patients, which is why there were times where 26 residents with dementia were cared for by just one caregiver.

Problems at Peregrine Senior Living

The resident who was awarded the $3.6 million settlement came to the facility in 2017. He was moved there as a safety precaution because his dementia had progressed, and he had a tendency to wander around. His wife was assured that the facility had a high ratio of caregivers to residents.

Unfortunately, the facility did not hire additional staff to keep up with the number of residents. In January, there were 26 to 28 residents diagnosed with dementia and just two staff members to watch them in the daytime, according to the lawsuit. There was also just one staff member at night. Understaffing caused the 76-year-old resident to fall seven times.

In January, the facility admitted a new resident who assaulted multiple staff members and a resident. This person bit the 76-year-old on the hands and arms. This person also punched and slapped the 76-year-old and cut his face.

Staff members at Peregrine told the 76-year-old’s wife that the injuries were from a fall, not an attack. The facility did not notify the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment or the police. No action was taken until an outside hospice nurse contacted Aurora Police. According to the lawsuit, the resident was taken to the hospital and received a tetanus shot.

Contact a Wisconsin Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

If your loved one was attacked or assaulted by another resident and suffered injuries, you may have a nursing home abuse claim.

Contact an attorney today for a free consultation to discuss potential legal options. The Wisconsin nursing home abuse attorneys at PKSD have experience with a variety of nursing home abuse cases and know how to investigate and compile evidence to try to prove liability.

Your consultation with our attorneys is free and comes with no obligation. You do not pay unless you are compensated.

Complete a Free Case Evaluation form today.