$5 Million Jury Verdict Against Nursing Home in Mahoning County

The Becker Law Firm partners Romney Cullers and David Skall secured a $5 million jury verdict in the Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas. The case involved the choking death of a 54-year-old mother of two who was severely incapacitated and required help with daily activities, including eating.

Case Background

The decedent lived with multiple serious conditions, including multiple sclerosis, early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, and a recent stroke. These conditions made swallowing difficult and created a clear need for close supervision and careful meal preparation.

Despite this, nursing home staff served her a large piece of tough, fibrous meat and allowed her to eat it in her bed without supervision. She began choking and, without the monitoring and assistance she needed, tragically died.

Nursing Home Responsibilities

Nursing homes accept responsibility for residents who cannot care for themselves. Families rely on these facilities to provide basic safety, medical support, and supervision. At a minimum, that includes:

• Safe meal preparation: Residents with swallowing disorders should receive foods of an appropriate texture to reduce choking risks.
  
• Supervision during high-risk activities: For residents who cannot eat safely on their own, trained staff should be present at meals.
  
• Emergency response: Staff must recognize choking and act quickly to prevent fatal outcomes.
  

When facilities fail in these core responsibilities, residents face unnecessary risks. Choking deaths are among the most preventable incidents in nursing homes, making proper training and supervision essential.

For more information on this area of law, visit our page on nursing home negligence.

The Trial and Verdict

The case was tried before a jury in Mahoning County. Attorneys Romney Cullers and David Skall presented evidence of the resident’s medical conditions, her need for assistance, and the circumstances of her death. After hearing the evidence, the jury awarded the family $5 million.

The verdict provides the surviving children with a measure of justice and ensures that their voices were heard in court.

Why This Verdict Matters

This verdict highlights the importance of enforcing standards of care in long-term facilities. Families place loved ones in nursing homes because they cannot safely manage on their own. When those facilities fail to provide basic safeguards, the results can be devastating.

Holding negligent facilities accountable not only gives families closure but also reinforces industry-wide expectations of care. Residents have a right to live in environments where their medical needs are respected and addressed.

When a failure in care leads to loss of life, families may pursue a wrongful death claim. While no verdict replaces the life of a loved one, these cases ensure accountability and can lead to changes that protect other vulnerable residents.

The Becker Law Firm’s Commitment

This case reflects the mission of The Becker Law Firm: to hold negligent institutions accountable and to stand with families when their trust has been broken. With decades of trial experience, the firm has represented clients in personal injury cases across Ohio, including nursing home negligence and wrongful death matters.

Partners Cullers and Skall dedicated their experience and advocacy to ensure that this family’s story was fully heard in court. The result is both a measure of justice for the family and a reminder of the duty nursing homes owe their residents.

Contact The Becker Law Firm

If you believe a loved one has suffered due to nursing home negligence, you may have legal options. The Becker Law Firm represents families in Cleveland and across Ohio in cases involving nursing home abuse, neglect, and wrongful death.

Call The Becker Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation. Our attorneys will review your case and explain your rights.