Neal v. Friendship Manor Nursing Home

This is an appeal from a wrongful death action resulting in a jury verdict for the plaintiff, Jo Anne Neal, for $250,000. The decedent, Leamon Neal, was 13-1/2 months old at the time of his death on March 7, 1976. He was mentally retarded and was a patient at defendant, Friendship Manor Nursing Home. It was undisputed at trial that on January 10, 1976, Leamon was burned by the placing of a hot water bottle on his bare abdomen by an agent of the defendant. Leamon died on March 7, 1976, from respiratory arrest and pulmonary congestion. At trial there was conflicting evidence whether the…