Elderly residents from seven Louisiana nursing homes, who were placed in a crowded warehouse during Hurricane Ida in 2021, are being offered shares of a nearly $9 million settlement after years of legal proceedings.
A retired state judge overseeing the case explained that the 427 residents or their surviving families who filed claims will soon receive letters detailing their individual settlement amounts. However, Judge William “Rusty” Knight acknowledged the difficulties many have faced.
“It’s been a longer road than we hoped,” Knight said. “Sadly, there’s not enough money to make up for what these residents endured.”
The Incident
As Hurricane Ida approached Louisiana in August 2021, nursing home owner Bob Dean Jr. transferred hundreds of residents to a warehouse roughly 70 miles northwest of New Orleans.
The facility quickly became overwhelmed, with reports of unsafe and unsanitary conditions emerging shortly after the storm passed. Residents were left on soaked mattresses, with some crying out for help, lying in their own waste, and lacking adequate food and water. The deteriorating conditions tragically led to the deaths of seven residents, five of which were classified as storm-related.
A Long Path to Justice
In the aftermath, Dean lost both state licenses and federal funding for his nursing homes. He later pleaded no contest to multiple criminal charges, receiving probation and fines exceeding $1.2 million. Additionally, federal prosecutors alleged that Dean misused nursing home funds for personal purchases like antiques, cars, and firearms. To settle these allegations, Dean agreed to pay $8.2 million last month.
Despite these penalties, many residents and families involved in the civil lawsuits believe justice remains incomplete. Attorney Matthew Hemmer, representing hundreds of plaintiffs, shared that “no amount of money can undo what these residents experienced.”
Looking Ahead
The settlement process is ongoing, with some individuals able to contest their amounts at a hearing scheduled for January. Judge Knight further noted that 165 former residents have passed away since the evacuation, with that number expected to grow.
This tragic event highlights ongoing concerns about nursing home emergency preparedness and the critical need for better support and oversight during crises.
At a time when our nation’s seniors deserve protection and dignity, these incidents remind us that more must be done to prioritize their well-being—especially in times of disaster.