Pueblo, Colorado, Nursing Home Hit with Wrongful Death Case

A jury has awarded $5.5 million to the family of Sophia Alcon, a 77-year-old woman who died after living at the Life Care Center of Pueblo. This 2016 verdict is believed to be the largest of its kind in Colorado’s history.

Nursing Home Abuse Allegations

The family of Sophia Alcon alleged that she suffered from abuse and neglect while residing at the Life Care Center of Pueblo between April 2013 and her death in November of that same year. They filed a lawsuit in 2015, claiming that the facility’s negligence led to multiple infections, bed sores, dehydration, malnutrition, and ultimately her death.

Jury Award

The jury awarded $500,000 in emotional damages to Alcon’s son, $57,000 for economic losses, and $5 million in punitive damages.

Lack of Defense

The family’s attorney, Brent L. Moss, attributed the high punitive damages to the nursing home’s parent company’s absence from the trial. “The jury disapproved of the company prioritizing profits over patient care,” Moss stated.

Previous Verdicts

This verdict follows a 2014 case where a jury awarded $3.3 million to the family of an 82-year-old resident who suffered neglect at the Belmont Lodge Health Care Center. This marks Moss’s second multi-million dollar verdict in Pueblo, Colorado.

>>>Read more about this case here.

Impact of the Verdict

The Alcon case highlighted the devastating consequences of neglecting resident care in nursing homes. The substantial punitive damages serve as a deterrent and empower families to hold negligent facilities accountable. This verdict has raised awareness of potential abuses and fostered a demand for improved elder care standards across Colorado.

The Alcon case garnered significant media attention during the lawsuit. Explore related coverage from: The Trail Lawyer Magazine, Mcknights.com, and KRCC.

If you or a family member has been the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, please contact us today for a free case evaluation.