Vanella McCoy was admitted to Regional Healthcare in Newport, Arkansas in October 2003 and was noted to be at risk for falls, weight loss, and pressure sores. She had a loving family which included thirteen children. During her residency, Ms. McCoy suffered six different falls, substantial weight loss, episodes of dehydration, and various pressure sores. She died in March 2005 of septicemia due to a stage IV pressure sore that was infected and to the bone.

The plaintiff, Kendra Lymon was driving through the intersection of State Road 17 and State Road 64. A Bynum Transport, Inc. tractor-trailer approached the intersection of state roads 17 and 64. There was another tractor-trailer in the opposite turn lane, blocking the Bynum Transport Inc. driver's view. The truck turned left anyway, and he plowed into Kendra's car on the driver's side, crushing it and sending it spinning off the highway. The driver claimed he had a green arrow allowing him to make the left hand turn, but eyewitnesses later stated that was false and that the plaintiff had a green light and was not speeding.

Nursing home neglect attorneys from Wilkes & McHugh, P.A., represented the Estate of Mary Kathleen Adams. Mrs. Adams was admitted to Villa Valencia Health Care Center upon suffering a fractured leg. She subsequently developed pressure ulcers and was not given adequate treatment, such as daily skin checks. Mrs. Adams died as a result of the pressure ulcers. The jury returned a verdict of $1 million in compensatory damages and $1 million in punitive damages.

Attorneys for Wilkes & McHugh, P.A., represented the estate of Harry Wilson. Mr. Wilson, who suffered from dementia, often wandered from his home, which necessitated him being admitted to the nursing home for his safety. During his stay at the nursing home, Mr. Wilson suffered from seven falls, one of which resulted in a broken hip. While in the nursing home, he also became malnourished, dehydrated, and developed large stage IV bed sores. In the end, a faulty piece of equipment contributed to Mr. Wilson’s death. These injuries were the result of the facility’s lack of adequate staff and supplies due to budgeting decisions made by Genesis Health Ventures, Inc., the parent corporation of Mayo Clinic. The jury returned a unanimous verdict of $3.5 million.

Attorneys from Wilkes & McHugh, P.A. represented the estate of Cheatum Myers, who suffered from multiple falls resulting in fractures while under the care of a Tennessee nursing home. The testimony proved that Mr. Myers' fractured hip, which resulted from his seventh documented fall in the facility, was not treated or x-rayed for seven days, and that subsequent doctor's orders regarding his fractured hip were not followed. Due to neglect by the understaffed nursing home, Mr. Myers also developed a Stage IV pressure sore, leg contractures, urosepsis and bilateral pnumonia. The jury awarded a $4.2 million verdict.

Attorneys from Wilkes & McHugh, P.A. represented the estate of Hurry Lee Berry, 59. She entered a Mississippi nursing home with brain cancer, lung cancer, and diabetes. As a result of the neglect by the nursing home, she suffered from dehydration and malnutrition. The case was settled for $1.25 million.

Attorneys from Wilkes & McHugh, P.A. represented the estate of Loren Richards, 84, who died in a nursing home after nurses repeatedly ignored his cries for help. Mr. Richards was suffering from an impacted bowel, and subsequently died of a heart attack. Wilkes & McHugh, P.A. attorneys also alleged that the nursing home was understaffed due to companywide cost-cutting.

Nursing home neglect attorneys from Wilkes & McHugh, P.A. represented Earline Groves who suffered injuries including falls, dehydration, malnutrition, weight loss, bone fractures, poor hygiene, pressure sores, and infections. While in residence, Ms. Groves also suffered extreme pain, suffering, mental anguish, embarrassment, and fright. The jury returned a verdict of $1.5 million in compensatory damages.

In what is believed to be the first California case in which the plaintiff proved wrongful death by elder abuse, nursing home neglect attorneys from Wilkes & McHugh, P.A. represented Frank Hernandez who suffered a stage IV pressure sore during his residence at Upland Rehabilitation and Care Center. Jurors heard testimony that staff at the facility would sleep during their shifts and were not providing the care needed by the residents. The jury returned a verdict of $727,500 plus attorneys' fees and costs.

Nursing home neglect attorneys from Wilkes & McHugh, P.A. represented the estate of Mamie Crook whose left leg had to be amputated because staff provided substandard care. The nursing home would leave her to lie in her own waste for hours and did not turn her regularly, resulting in preventable bed sores. The jury returned a verdict of $10 million.

Nursing home neglect attorneys from Wilkes & McHugh, P.A. represented the estate of Charles Edwards who suffered preventable bedsores. Mr. Edwards was persistently covered in his own dried feces and left to lie in urine-soaked bedding. The jury returned a verdict of $6.5 million.

Nursing home neglect attorneys from Wilkes & McHugh, P.A. represented Elizabeth Evans whose death was a direct result of negligent care. Despite strict doctor’s orders, Beverly failed to monitor fluid intake and output resulting in Ms. Evans' death from congestive heart failure. The jury returned a verdict of $7.7 million in compensatory damages and indicated they wanted to award punitive damages before the case was settled.

Nursing home neglect attorneys from Wilkes & McHugh, P.A. represented Lucille Williams who fell, hit her head, and died six days after being admitted to Tandem Health Care. Although determined to be at high risk for falls, she was not supervised appropriately. She was not taken to the hospital when she fell and complained of a headache, nor when she became lethargic. In fact, Ms. Williams was not taken to the hospital until ten hours after the traumatic fall. By that time there was so much pressure from the blood that her brain shut down. The jury returned a verdict of $1.99 million.

Nursing home neglect attorneys from Wilkes & McHugh, P.A. represented Jewell Emmett Boatright who suffered from bedsores on his hips, buttocks, scrotum, and both legs - resulting in their amputation above the knees. The nursing home's refusal to bathe him eventually led to painful and unsightly sores on his head. The jury awarded $1.02 million.

Nursing home neglect attorneys from Wilkes & McHugh, P.A. represented Margaret Muccianti who went to Willow Creek Care Center to recover from an operation to remove a blood clot in her leg. Thirty-two days later she was improperly discharged from the facility. Ms. Muccianti died shortly thereafter from complications arising out of a bowel disease that had gone undiagnosed and untreated by staff despite the fact that she had lost more than 30 pounds during her stay. The jury returned the largest verdict ever reached against a Fresno County, California nursing home, $5.2 million.

Nursing home neglect attorneys from Wilkes & McHugh, P.A. represented Charles McCorkle who may have gone unfed for a month, was not given medication, and did not receive treatment for an infection that turned gangrenous and required portions of a bone removed. The jury was so outraged by the neglect that one juror remarked that the verdict was meant, "to speak for those who can't speak for themselves." The jury returned a verdict of $20 million.

Nursing home neglect attorneys from Wilkes & McHugh, P.A. represented Leatha Collins, who died of dehydration after being sexually assaulted twice and physically assaulted once. The jury returned a verdict of $12 million.