Morgan & Morgan Wins $1 Million Wrongful Death Verdict Against Philadelphia Nursing Home

[Philadelphia, PA] – A Philadelphia County jury has awarded a $1,028,960.26 verdict to the family of a Brookhaven man who died in a Philadelphia nursing home. The family was represented by Morgan & Morgan attorneys Jordan Solarz, Clancy Boylan, David Dufour and Josh Levy.

Igor Surant, 90, was admitted to Oakwood Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center in Philadelphia on April 4, 2021 after breaking his shoulder in a fall. Due to his age and mobility issues arising from this injury, he required significant assistance with everyday tasks. Unfortunately, the lawsuit alleged that staff at Oakwood did not attend to Mr. Surant frequently enough to prevent him from sustaining a severe pressure ulcer (bedsore), and he was sent to the emergency room on April 28. Mr. Surant suffered significant complications from this bedsore including an infection, MRSA and sepsis, before ultimately passing away on May 9, 2021. 

“This verdict was the culmination of a nearly three-year battle for justice against a facility that placed profits over the health of its residents,” said Morgan & Morgan founder John Morgan and attorney David Dufour. “The lawsuit alleged that Oakwood Healthcare & Rehabilitation was woefully understaffed, which prevented them from caring properly for residents like Mr. Surant. We’re pleased the jury saw through the defense’s attempts to dispute who was responsible for Mr. Surant’s death and held the facility accountable for our client’s wrongful death.”

The case was heard by Judge Vincent L. Johnson in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County, Case No. 221201372. The defense was represented by attorneys Peter Calahan and Christine Dantonio of Burns White, as well as Lois Shenk of Cipriani & Werner.