Gillund v. Doe Hospice Care Provider (Verdict Search March 2008)
Sep 27, 2007OUTCOME: $225,000 and an apology to family
Mr. Gillund was at the end of his life, helpless, and vulnerable. An employee of Doe Hospice Care Provider took advantage of Mr. Gillund’s vulnerable state and committed multiple acts of sexual batt ... ery and assault. It is simply unimaginable what Mr. Gillund was experiencing at the end of his life. Rather being able to spend his last days in dignity, Mr. Gillund was subjected to sexual abuse by the person his family entrusted to care for him during his last days. Doe Hospice Care Provider knew or should have known of the high degree of probability of danger to its elderly patients should they fail to adequately and properly screen and supervise its employees - there is an alarming trend in recent years of sexual predators obtaining positions to care for the elderly population in order to gain access to vulnerable targets. In light of the high degree of probability that a sexual predator would attempt to infiltrate their company, it would only be reasonable to undertake intensive screening and ongoing supervision procedures to ensure the safety of their patients. This case settled at mediation prior to the filing of any lawsuit. The parties settled for $225,000.00. Doe Hospice Care Provider also agreed to take responsibility for its employees actions and apologized to the Gillund family. It also expressed intentions to use enhanced screening procedures in the future, and to be more responsive to families when they report an incident. ~ Published in VerdictSearch California - March 17, 2008 ~
