Jefferson City nursing home sued over COVID-19 death
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
The family of a Jefferson City man filed a COVID-19 wrongful death lawsuit Friday against a Jefferson City nursing home one day before a law shielding businesses from such suits takes effect.
David Ousley died Oct. 4 at age 83 after contracting COVID-19 while living at Jefferson City Manor, his family says in the lawsuit filed in Cole County. Ousley is one of 13 residents of Jefferson City Manor who have died during the pandemic, according to federal data. The family is suing the nursing home and its owner, Juckette Management Services Senior Living, Inc.
The lawsuit alleges Ousley became infected with coronavirus while the nursing home was under quarantine in August 2020 and no residents had previously been infected. Ousley's family says he caught the virus from an infected employee.
Ousley's family accuses the nursing home of not taking proper steps to screen employees for COVID-19, which led to David Ousley's death.
A new state law that shields businesses from lawsuits except for cases of "reckless or willful misconduct" takes effect Saturday. It's not clear how that law will affect the Ousley suit.
The Ousley family's lawyer was not available for comment Friday and Juckette has not responded to a request for comment.
The Ousley family also declined to comment.
JC Manor's CEO has yet to respond.
