Tuesday, November 4, 2008

$35 Million Lawsuit

A young man’s suspicious death over a year ago while he was under the care of Adult Protective Services and The Health Center at Standifer Place is expected to be ruled a homicide.

Robert A. Young, a 33-year-old ward of the state who suffered from cerebral palsy, died as a result of “blunt force trauma to the head.”

Family members of Mr. Young filed a $35 million lawsuit against Standifer Place alleging that not only did an employee kill him, but that other employees didn’t even tell family members he was dead when they would call to check up on him.

Adult Protective Services, the state agency that had legal guardianship of Mr. Young, also did not respond to repeated attempts to find any of Mr. Young’s family members. Instead the agency simply made arrangements for Mr. Young to be buried in a pauper’s grave.

Full Article and Source:
Chattanooga: Man's death at nursing home expected to be ruled a homicide

The lawsuit says Standifer Place should be held liable for:
Wrongful Death, Battery, Assault, Tort of Outrage, Fraud, Misrepresentation, Negligent Hiring, Negligent Retention, Negligence, Negligence per se, Violation of TN Adult Protection Act, Violation of TN Medical Malpractice Act, Civil Conspiracy, Intentional infliction of emotional distress, and Loss of consortium. Source:
$35 Million Lawsuit Against Chattanooga Health Facility

See also:
Video: $35 Million Lawsuit

Autopsy shows ward of state had head injury

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

What responsibility does the legal guardian, Adult Protective Services, have in this case?
I believe that APS, as a guardian/caretaker, should be charged with criminal neglect.

Anonymous said...

My deepest sympathies to the family of Robert Young. I cannot even imagine their pain and grief and their outrage. I hope they are 100% successful in their litigation.

This is another heartwrenching account of the cruel treatment wards receive while wards of the state.

Now, we have undeniable MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE.

A criminal investigation is imperative to get justice for the victim and his family and to send a loud message to the abusers.

Many wards die from urinary tract infections (UTI's)and being drugged to death using dangerous psychotropic medications. These deaths are not investigated, this is business as usual.

I say intentionally allowing UTI's to develop and drugging victims is murder and murder is a criminal offense.

I agree APS must be held accountable. They failed in their responsibilities to do their jobs - they need to be fired and prosecuted - now!

Anonymous said...

I'm rooting for the family!

Anonymous said...

You're right Stanley B, this sure sounds like murder. A full investigation should lead right into charges against APS.

I extend condolences to the Young family as well.

Anonymous said...

our family thanks you for these comments and we pray others will do the same. it helps us knowing that other people out there care and we are fighting as hard as we can but yet we still do not know much. all comments greatly appreciated. thank you all and god bless you.
plat@rock.com
robertyoungfamily