Notable Verdicts and Cases
About Wilkes & McHugh, P.A.
Case:
Mary Culpepper vs. Tucson Medical Center and Manor Care Health Services
Plaintiff:
Mary Culpepper
Defendant:
Tucson Medical Center and Manor Care Health Services et al.
Date:
Apr 14, 2008
Amount:
$6 million
Compensatory Damages:
$6 million
Punitive Damages:
n/a
Location:
Arizona
Alleged Injuries:
Neglect by nursing home leading to death from acute morphine intoxication
Description:
Nursing home neglect attorneys from Wilkes & McHugh, P.A., represented the Estate of Mary Culpepper. Mrs. Culpepper was admitted to Tucson Medical Center for treatment of sciatica pain. Upon discharge, a nurse inappropriately tripled Ms. Culpepper’s morphine order on the medication transfer form. When admitted to Manor Care, staff provided the incorrect dose of morphine to Mrs. Culpepper and then ignored Mrs. Culpepper’s signs and symptoms of morphine intoxication. The Pima County Medical Examiner determined the cause of death to be acute morphine intoxication. The jury returned a verdict of $6 million, holding Tucson Medical Center 10% responsible and Manor Care 90% responsible for the death of Mrs. Culpepper.