Patrick Stockalper successfully defends hospital following elopement of patient from emergency room

The family of a patient brought an elder abuse and neglect lawsuit following the elopement of the patient from the hospital’s emergency room. The patient was of advanced age and had clear evidence of dementia and documented Alzheimer’s disease and was considered by the hospital itself to be a high elopement risk. She was worked up in the emergency room although in the course of her workup, she eloped from the emergency room. She was found dead several days later nearby the hospital. The family sued for both compensatory and punitive damages. Notwithstanding the inflammatory aspects to the case, a jury found 12-0 in favor of the hospital.