BECKLEY — A family is suing Heartland of Beckley alleging negligence for failing to provide an elderly relative with life essentials such as water, food and toilet, causing her death by dehydration.
Larry Ballard, as representative of Violet Ballard, filed a lawsuit Aug. 13 in Raleigh Circuit Court against Heartland of Beckley, Manor Care Inc., Health Care and Retirement Corporation of America and administrator Brandy Gillespie.
The complaint states Violet Ballard, a resident since 2012, died July 31, 2013, of complications caused by dehydration, abuse and neglect while under the defendants' care.
Larry Ballard seeks unspecified punitive damages, plus attorney fees and costs of litigation. He is represented by attorneys Andrew L. Patenostro and Jeff Stewart of the Bell Law Firm in Charleston. The case is being presided over by Circuit Judge Robert A. Burnside
Raleigh Circuit Court case number 15-c-743.