Published: May 07, 2009 11:27 pm      

Madison Manor sued for negligence in care

The three former Madison Manor employees charged criminally in connection to a hidden-camera investigation by the family of a resident also face a civil suit in Madison Circuit Court.

Jaclyn Dawn VanWinkle, Amanda G. Sallee and Valerie E. Lamb are named along with Fir Lane Terrace Convalescent Center, doing business as Richmond Health and Rehabilitation Center, as defendants in a civil lawsuit filed Monday by Deborah Hamilton, executrix for the estate of Armeda Thomas.

Thomas, of Irvine, was a resident at the facility, also known as Madison Manor, from February of 2007 to Sept. 16, 2008, before dying in November 2008.

Members of Thomas’ family set up a video camera in her room to document how staff members were caring for her because of suspicions of mistreatment.

According to Hamilton’s lawsuit, Fir Lane Terrace “failed to appropriately manage its agents, servants and employees in a manner to assure that they followed appropriate policies, procedures and government regulations.”

The suit alleges that as a result, “Armeda Thomas was chronically neglected, provided substandard care, abused and intimidated by the defendant’s agents, servants and employees.”

Hamilton’s complaint names the three former employees individually and cites VanWinkle’s guilty plea to reckless abuse or neglect of an adult as evidence of negligence as well as pending cases against Sallee for wanton abuse or neglect and Lamb for reckless abuse or neglect as evidence.

Hamilton is seeking punitive and compensatory damages, plus interest, as well as court costs and attorney’s fees.

A request was filed with the suit demanding Fir Lane Terrace provide information on the facility’s liability insurance policy as well as any audio or video recordings, photographs or written reports the facility may have relating to injuries or accidents Thomas suffered while a resident.

A court date has not yet been scheduled.



Brian Smith may be reached at bsmith@richmondregister.com or at 624-6694.