Family Files Lawsuit Against The Laurels of Walden Park for the Wrongful Death of Their Mother - Michael Hill

Family Files Lawsuit Against The Laurels of Walden Park for the Wrongful Death of Their Mother - Michael Hill

Nursing home abuse and neglect put vulnerable residents at serious risk, leading to malnutrition, dehydration, infections, and preventable injuries. When facilities fail to provide adequate care, residents suffer, and families are left feeling helpless. Lack of supervision, improper medical treatment, and unsafe conditions can result in devastating harm. Understanding the warning signs, knowing your legal rights, and holding negligent facilities accountable are crucial steps in protecting your loved ones. Learn how to take action and seek justice.

Family Files Lawsuit Against The Laurels of Walden Park for the Wrongful Death of Their Mother

It wasn’t until she arrived at the hospital that Michelle Whigham learned that her mother Henrietta Wilson was critically ill. According to the lawsuit filed in Franklin County, Ohio Estate of Henrietta Veronica Wilson vs. Laurel Health Care Company, et. al., “[o]ver a period of days in late-January 2023, Henrietta showed signs of an infection that either went unrecognized or were ignored by the Facility’s staff.” Then, “[o]n January 30, 2023, Henrietta was found unresponsive with agonal respirations because she was starved of oxygen and gasping for air.”

“At St. Anne Hospital, Henrietta was diagnosed with metabolic acidosis, pneumonia, urinary tract infection, a systemic infection, sepsis (the body’s dysregulated response to an infection), and multiple organ failure,” according to the lawsuit. No one from The Laurels of Walden Park contacted Henrietta’s family to let them know their mother was sent to the hospital until the following day, January 31st.

The lawsuit states that “[o]n January 31, 2023, when family arrived at the hospital, hospital staff informed the family that Henrietta likely had less than 12 hours to live as the infection had already progressed and spread to her lungs and bloodstream.”

Henrietta died on January 31, 2023, the day after she was transferred to St. Anne’s from The Laurels of Walden Park. The death certificate reports that her death was caused by septic shock. Septic shock occurs when an infection progresses to the point that the body begins to attack itself.

“This is the same pattern of neglect we see over and over again at nursing homes not only across Ohio but across the country. The signs of infection are there for anyone to see. But because the staff are overworked, undertrained, and the nursing home has a culture of dismissing patients’ symptoms, these infections aren’t treated and people die as a result,” says lead attorney Michael Hill.

Misleading Advertising at The Laurels of Walden Park?

The Laurels of Walden Park is a large 225-bed nursing home in Columbus, Ohio. According to its website, “Laurels of Walden Park offers a full spectrum of post-hospital services, from a short-term rehabilitation stay to long-term nursing care.” The website advertises that “[W]e believe that from the moment you walk into the facility, we have a responsibility to offer you the best. Be it services or experts, we endeavor to make you smile with satisfaction.”

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(https://www.cienahealthcare.com/locations/laurels-of-walden-park/?laurels_redirect=1, accessed Mar 22, 2024)

These statements are misleading, however, according to the lawsuit. According to the lawsuit, “The Laurels Defendants engaged in a systemic practice to understaff the facilities to maximize profits at the expense of its residents’ care. The Laurels Defendants’ systemic understaffing of the Facility resulted in a ‘1-star’ (“much below average”) ranking for Staffing on the Medicare.gov Nursing Home Compare website and a 1-star overall ranking.”

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(The Center for Medicare and Medicaid found that The Laurels of Walden Park aka The Laurels of Walden Park, LLC earned a 1-star, or “much below average” rating for both Staffing and Health Inspections. This data was taken directly from medicare.gov on January 18, 2024.)

In addition to negligence and wrongful death, the lawsuit includes claims for violations of nursing home resident rights, fraud, and civil conspiracy.

Who Owns The Laurels Nursing Homes?

The Laurel Health Care Company is a for-profit corporation headquartered in Westerville, Ohio. It is part of the Cienna Healthcare brand, Cienna Healthcare is a corporation located outside of Detroit, Michigan that manages and owns 83 nursing homes in 5 states: Michigan, Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina, and Indiana. A list of these facilities are at the end of this article.

Have The Laurels Been Sued Before in Ohio?

In June 2022, Michael Hill of Michael Hill Trial Law obtained a record verdict against The Laurels of Mt. Vernon and its parent company, Laurel Health Care Company. That case also involved the nursing home’s failure to identify signs of an infection resulting in delayed treatment and death from sepsis. The jury awarded $5 million for Jack Huls’ death. That is the largest verdict in the history of Knox County, Ohio. It is also the largest verdict against any of The Laurels facilities.

Complete List of Laurels Health Care / Cienna Healthcare Facilities

  • Autumnwood of McBain: 220 Hughston StreetMcBain, MI 49657
  • Boulevard Temple Care Center: 2567 West Grand BoulevardDetroit, MI 48208
  • Brittany Manor: 3615 East Ashman StreetMidland, MI 48642
  • Christian Park Healthcare Center: 2415 Fifth Avenue SouthEscanaba, MI 49829
  • Christian Park Village: 2525 Seventh Avenue SouthEscanaba, MI 49829
  • Courtney Manor: 1167 East Hopson StreetBad Axe, MI 48413
  • Fenton Healthcare Center: 512 Beach StreetFenton, MI 48430
  • Fountain View of Monroe: 1971 North Monroe StreetMonroe, MI 48162
  • Hartford Nursing and Rehab Center: 6700 Outer Dr. WDetroit, MI 48235
  • Hickory Ridge of Temperance: 951 Hickory Creek DriveTemperance, MI 48182
  • Kith Haven: G-1069 Ballenger HighwayFlint, MI 48504
  • Lakeview Manor Healthcare Center: 408 North Fifth AvenueTawas City, MI 48763
  • Laurels of Bedford: 270 N Bedford RoadBattle Creek, MI 49037
  • Laurels of Carson City: 620 N 2nd StreetCarson City, MI 48811
  • Laurels of Coldwater: 90 N Michigan AvenueColdwater, MI 49036
  • Laurels of Fulton: RFD #1 4735 Ranger RoadPerrinton, MI 48871
  • Laurels of Galesburg: 1080 N 35th StreetGalesburg, MI 49053
  • Laurels of Hudsonville: 3650 Van Buren StreetHudsonville, MI 49426
  • Laurels of Kent: 350 N Center StreetLowell, MI 49331
  • Laurels of Mt. Pleasant: 400 S Crapo StreetMt. Pleasant, MI 48858
  • Laurels of Sandy Creek: 425 E Elm StreetWayland, MI 49348
  • Maplewood of Sandy Creek: 425 E Elm StreetWayland, MI 49348
  • Notting Hill of West Bloomfield: 6535 Drake RoadWest Bloomfield, MI 48322
  • Omni Continuing Care: 5201 Conner AvenueDetroit, MI 48213
  • Ovid Healthcare Center: 9480 E. M-21Ovid, MI 48866
  • Qualicare Nursing Home: 695 East Grand BoulevardDetroit, MI 48207
  • Regency at Bluffs Park: 355 Huron View BlvdAnn Arbor, MI 48103
  • Regency at Canton: 45900 Geddes RoadCanton, MI 48188
  • Regency at Chene: 2295 E VernorDetroit, MI 48207
  • Regency at Fremont: 4554 W 48th StreetFremont, MI 49412
  • Regency at Grand Blanc: 1330 Grand Pointe CourtGrand Blanc, MI 48439
  • Regency at Lansing West: 12200 Broadbent RoadLansing, MI 48917
  • Regency at Livonia: 14900 Middlebelt RoadLivonia, MI 48154
  • Regency at Shelby Township: 7401 22 Mile RoadShelby Township, MI 48317
  • Regency at Troy: 2685 West Maple RoadTroy, MI 48084
  • Regency at Waterford: 1901 N. Telegraph RoadWaterford, MI 48328
  • Regency at Westland: 2209 N Newburgh RdWestland, MI 48185
  • Regency at Whitmore Lake: 8633 Main StreetWhitmore Lake, MI 48189
  • Regency Heights Nursing and Rehab Center: 19100 W. Seven Mile RoadDetroit, MI 48219
  • Regency On The Lake: 5669 Lakeshore DriveFt. Gratiot, MI 48059
  • Royalton Manor: 288 Peace Blvd.St. Joseph, MI 49085
  • Sheffield Manor Nursing and Rehab: 15311 Schaefer AvenueDetroit, MI 48227
  • St. Anthony Healthcare Center: 31830 Ryan RoadWarren, MI 48092
  • The Manor of Farmington Hills: 21017 Middlebelt RoadFarmington Hills, MI 48336
  • The Manor of Novi: 24500 Meadowbrook RoadNovi, MI 48375
  • Willowbrook Manor: 4436 Beecher RoadFlint, MI 48532
  • Laurel Healthcare: 8181 Worthington RoadWesterville, OH 43082
  • Laurels of Athens: 70 Columbus CircleAthens, OH 45701
  • Laurels of Blanchester: 839 Cherry StreetBlanchester, OH 45107
  • Laurels of Chagrin Falls: 150 Cleveland StChagrin Falls, OH 44022
  • Laurels of Defiance:1701 S Jefferson AvenueDefiance, OH 43512
  • Laurels of Gahanna: 5151 North Hamilton RdColumbus, OH 43230
  • Laurels of Hamilton: 2923 Hamilton Mason RdHamilton, OH 45011
  • Laurels of Heath: 717 South 30th StreetHeath, OH 43056
  • Laurels of Hillsboro: 175 Chillicothe AvenueHillsboro, OH 45133
  • Laurels of Huber Heights: 5440 Charlesgate RoadHuber Heights, OH 45424
  • Laurels of Kettering: 694 Isaac Prugh WayKettering, OH 45429
  • Laurels of Massillon: 2000 Sherman Circle NEMassillon, OH 44646
  • Laurels of Middletown: 751 Kensington StMiddletown, OH 45044
  • Laurels of Milford: 934 State Route 28Milford, OH 45150
  • Laurels of Mt. Vernon: 13 Avalon RoadMt. Vernon, OH 43050
  • Laurels of New London: 204 W Main StreetNew London, OH 44851
  • Laurels of Norworth: 6830 N High StreetWorthington, OH 43085
  • Laurels of Steubenville: 500 Stanton BoulevardSteubenville, OH 43952
  • Laurels of Walden Park: 5700 Karl RoadColumbus, OH 43229
  • Laurels of West Carrollton: 115 Elmwood CircleWest Carrollton, OH 45449
  • Laurels of West Columbus: 441 Norton RdColumbus, OH 43228
  • Laurels of Worthington: 1030 High StreetWorthington, OH 43085
  • Laurels of Bon Air: 9101 Bon Air Crossings DriveRichmond, VA 23235
  • Laurels of Charlottesville: 490 Hillsdale DriveCharlottesville, VA 22901
  • Laurels of University Park: 2420 Pemberton RoadRichmond, VA 23233
  • Laurels of Willow Creek: 11611 Robious RoadMidlothian, VA 23113
  • Laurels of Chatham: 72 Chatham Business Park DrivePittsboro, NC 27312
  • Laurels of Forest Glenn: 1101 Hartwell StreetGarner, NC 27529
  • Laurels of GreenTree Ridge: 70 Sweeten Creek RoadAsheville, NC 28803
  • Laurels of Hendersonville: 290 Clear Creek RoadHendersonville, NC 28792
  • Laurels of Pender: 311 S Campbell StBurgaw, NC 28425
  • Laurels of Salisbury: 215 Lash DriveSalisbury, NC 28147
  • Laurels of Summit Ridge: 100 Riceville RoadAsheville, NC 28805
  • Laurels of DeKalb: 520 W Liberty StreetButler, IN 46721

Questions About A Potential Lawsuit Involving The Laurels or Another Facility?

Michael Hill is a nationally recognized attorney who handles exclusively cases against long term care facilities. Michael and his firm, Michael Hill Trial Law, handle cases across the country. If you have any questions about cases involving The Laurels or any other nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or group homes, you can contact Michael Hill Trial Law at www.protectseniors.com, by sending an email to info@protectseniors.com, or by calling (800) 659-2712.

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