Recently, the Wisconsin personal injury law firm of Boller & Vaughan successfully closed one of the most heart-wrenching assisted living cases they have encountered.
Joshua Wahl, a charming 34 year-old man born with a number of physical and developmental disabilities, was a resident at Aurora Residential Alternatives (ARA), a Menomonie, Wisconsin community-based residential facility for individuals with disabilities, chronic mental illness and traumatic brain injuries. Joshua was born with spina bifida, moderate intellectual disability, was paralyzed from the chest down, and wheelchair bound. He was totally dependent on Aurora staff for all activities of his daily living.
As a result of neglect and inadequate treatment by unlicensed staff members, Joshua developed a pressure sore that was so severe, it extended all the way down to the bone. Although the pressure sore was discovered early on by the staff at ARA, neither Joshua’s mother nor his primary physician was alerted to his condition, resulting in inadequate medical treatment, a serious bone infection, extended and unnecessary suffering, and confinement to a nursing home for an entire year.
The jury awarded monetary damages for:
Sadly, neglect cases like this are far more common than you think. Just a few examples of nursing home/residential care abuse and neglect are:
And, while the $3.5 million verdict is the largest assisted living verdict in Wisconsin history, the attorneys at Boller & Vaughan see the victory as bittersweet. Prevention is the key to keeping our elders and most vulnerable citizens safe. If you find yourself in search of a nursing or residential care facility, there are some really helpful checklists available (1), to help you find the right facility for you or your loved one.
Important: Although there are Federal guidelines for nursing homes and state guidelines for residential facilities, most states have their own rules and regulations regarding educational and training requirements for general staffing. You can find a complete list of statewide standards by visiting the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website.
Abuse and neglect cases such as the Wahl family experienced address the most fragile members of our community. Often these are men and women with no voice of their own. If you know someone who has experienced abuse or neglect in a nursing home or residential treatment facility, please contact the Madison personal injury attorneys of Boller & Vaughan at (608) 807-0078 for a FREE consultation. If we take your case, we’ll fight to get you and your loved ones the help and the money you need and deserve.
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We live in Friendship, Wisconsin, and Boller & Vaughan came to our doorstep to discuss our mother’s wrongful death claim on a Saturday morning. Not only were we pleased with the large recovery, we were so thankful to have lawyers who were willing to explain to us every twist and turn along the way. It is great to know there is a law firm that will fight for the rights of elderly people all over Wisconsin.
Mr. Boller and Ms. Vaughan were incredible in working on my case and my daughter’s case. I was out of work and in the hospital with a new baby. Mr. Boller and Ms. Vaughan protected our rights and it was a pleasure to work with them. I hope never to be in another motor vehicle accident, however, if I am and I am injured, I will contact Boller & Vaughan immediately.
I was referred to Michelle through a friend. I have never had a better experience. It took a little over a year to get my settlement but the staff there stayed in constant contact and kept me in the loop. Oh, and Michelle actually got me MORE money than we discussed. I will refer anyone to this firm. Words cannot do justice the thanks that I have for Michelle and her staff (Mary especially) thank you guys so much!
After my husband died as a result of a motor vehicle accident, Boller & Vaughan spent countless hours talking with me, meeting with me in person, and making sure that I was okay. The drunk driver who hit us did not have any insurance, and we had to make a claim through our own insurance. Boller & Vaughan was fantastic at explaining the law to me and the handling of our claims.
After my son was injured in a daycare setting, Ms. Vaughan took the time to thoroughly investigate our case and my son’s injuries. Michele was approachable and had answers to our questions. Talking with her helped to relieve many of our anxieties.
