The jury reached a verdict Wednesday after an eight-day trial that found the nursing home staff violated the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act and the New York Nursing Home Bill of Rights, and also committed medical malpractice for failing to properly care for Roger Sanford.
Lori LaRock, Sanford’s daughter, filed the federal wrongful death lawsuit in May 2019. In it, she alleged nursing home staff failed to adequately feed, clothe, wash and medicate her father in the months leading up to his March 2018 death.
LaRock’s claim against Albany County, former Shaker Place Executive Director Larry Slatky and nursing home staff members alleges they were responsible for the wrongful death of her father and civil rights violations.
A state Department of Health investigation into Sanford’s death found the nursing home violated three federal laws by failing to follow protocol or offer life-saving care.
A spokeswoman for Albany County declined to comment on the verdict because the matter is still before the court. According to an entry in the federal court docket, the two parties had been in settlement discussions but any settlement would need approval from the Albany County Legislature.
“We are pleased to see Albany County Nursing Home held accountable for its mistreatment of Mr. Sanford. We expect nursing homes to take care of our vulnerable loved ones, not to let them struggle, suffer and die alone,” said attorney Hannah Brudney, who represented LaRock in the case.