A man in Santa Fe, New Mexico has filed a lawsuit against Pacifica Senior Living for the death of his father, Julian Gaul. In February 2017, the staff found the 83-year-old man lying on the floor between his wheelchair and bed, and transported him to Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center. The man’s son, Fred Gaul, was told by a doctor that blood had been collecting in his father’s brain for some time, likely from an earlier fall. Less than 24 hours later, Gaul was found on the floor again and was taken to the hospital and treated for a broken nose and wide gash across his forehead that required six stitches. Sores were discovered in his groin region along with fungus growing on his genitalia from not being cleaned for months. Gaul died three days later.
In the lawsuit, filed in First District Court, Julian Gaul’s son is suing the senior living facility, operated by Pacifica Rosemont, LLC and Pacifica Companies, LLC, as well as the former director, Pamela Hovden. The lawsuit alleges negligence, unfair trade practices, and failure to report patient injuries to the state and is seeking an unspecified amount of punitive damages.
This is not the first wrongful death lawsuit filed against the senior living facility. In September 2017, a woman filed a lawsuit against the facility claiming it had failed to prevent her father from falling, which resulted in his death in 2015. That case is expected to go to trial in September.
If you have a loved one that has been wrongfully killed by the negligence of another, it is important to find a skilled law firm to handle your claim. The law firm of Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner is the oldest personal injury firm in Texas, and our attorneys can assist you with your claim. Call us today at (713) 222-7211 or 713-222-7211 for your free consultation.