I got a note this week about a trial currently underway in New Orleans that you may want to keep your eye one if your company is based in an area prone to being affected by natural disasters.
The details of the case are thus: In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Althea LaCoste, a 73-year-old patient at Pendleton Methodist Hospital died after the hospital lost power, cutting off power to LaCoste’s ventilator. Although a team of Pendleton nurses hand-bagged air into LaCoste’s lungs, it wasn’t enough to save her life. LaCoste’s family alleges that Pendleton did not adequately prepare for the disaster, and therefore is liable in LaCoste’s death. The family is seeking $11.7 million in damages.
