Judge Upholds $23M Award in California Bed Sore Death

A Sacramento, Calif., judge has upheld a $23 million jury award over the bed sore death of a woman at a Northern California assisted living facility.

The Sacramento Bee says the judge on Monday also awarded $4.3 million in legal costs to the family of Joan Boice.

Relatives sued the Emeritus senior living corporation for wrongful death and elder abuse after Boice died at the Emerald Hills facility in Auburn five years ago. The 82-year-old had Alzheimer’s disease. Her death certificate indicated that bed sores contributed to her death.

A jury found against the Seattle-based company earlier this year.

An Emeritus spokeswoman, Karen Lucas, says the company believes the verdict was tainted by improper evidence and it will appeal.