6 Million Obtained for Family of Group Home Resident – Levin & Perconti

We were approached by a family who had tragically lost their son due to negligence in a group home. This man had been admitted to the facility due to challenges with mental illness and disabilities. He also suffered from psychogenic polydipsia, a condition that causes a continuous craving and consumption of water.

Three years after his admission, he suffered a seizure after drinking excessive amounts of water. When he was rushed to the hospital, doctors urged the group home staff to monitor his water intake closely. The staff created a system to track his consumption, but eventually, they stopped following it. Nine months later, after his first seizure at the facility, he was found dead in the bathroom due to excessive water intake.

What made this case especially concerning was that the resident had vomited just a few hours before his death. Despite this, the staff failed to act. Vomiting should have been a clear sign that something was wrong, and immediate intervention was needed.

The case was further complicated by the defense, which argued that it was difficult to monitor someone’s intake throughout the day. While this made proving liability challenging, we have handled similar cases before. With our experience and teamwork, we built a strong theory of liability, and we are proud to have settled this case for the family for $6 million.

While no amount of money can undo the suffering this family endured or bring their son back, litigation like this helps uncover the truth and holds those responsible for neglect accountable. It exposes the shortcomings in these facilities, and we hope this lawsuit will contribute to lasting change.

Tragedies like this occur when there is understaffing, inadequate training, and when facilities prioritize profits over the safety and well-being of their residents. Representing this family was a privilege and an honor. We are grateful for the opportunity to fight for their son and, by extension, all group home residents in Illinois. We hope that our efforts will prevent another senseless tragedy like this from occurring.