Nursing home residents exposed to hurricane chaos demand justice after $9 million settlement offer
- Elderly residents were evacuated to a warehouse during Hurricane Ida under poor conditions.
- Seven residents died in the warehouse, leading to lawsuits against Bob Dean Jr.
- A proposed settlement of nearly $9 million has been offered to the affected residents.
In Louisiana, some elderly individuals evacuated from nursing homes during Hurricane Ida in August 2021 are now being offered shares of a nearly $9 million settlement. These 427 former residents sued after they were moved to a warehouse that was not adequate for their needs. Poor conditions were reported in the warehouse after Hurricane Ida hit, with elderly residents found lying on wet floors, and limited access to food and water. Tragically, the state later confirmed seven deaths among the evacuees, with five classified as storm-related. Bob Dean Jr., who moved these residents to the makeshift shelter during the hurricane, faced multiple legal challenges following the outcry regarding treatment at the facility. Dean owned seven nursing homes and was accused of misconduct, leading to loss of licenses and federal funding. By June 2022, he faced state charges, and by July, he pleaded no contest to 15 criminal counts, resulting in a sentence of probation and hefty restitution payments. Additionally, Dean reached a settlement with the federal government, agreeing to pay $8.2 million for misusing funds from nursing homes insured by the Federal Housing Administration. Legal representatives for the former residents claim that Dean may have hidden other assets, complicating the search for justice for the victims of this unfortunate event. As the settlement offers were sent out, there were concerns raised by attorneys representing the victims regarding the adequacy of this compensation, noting that it may not fully address the trauma and losses experienced. In fact, attorney Matthew Hemmer warned that True justice may never be served due to the circumstances around the funds. A hearing has been scheduled for individuals contesting the settlement in January. It has been reported that at least 165 former residents of Dean's nursing homes have since died after the evacuation, and more casualties may become evident as responses to the settlement are gathered. The entire episode underscores serious issues within the nursing home system, particularly in emergency response situations, highlighting the need for improved protocols and care standards for vulnerable populations during such crises.