What could have triggered this announcement? Since 2009, Extendicare has faced at least 43 civil lawsuits (which are still pending), for negligence on the part of the company. The lawsuits include both personal injury and wrongful death claims.
The health services company requested immunity on these civil lawsuits, in order to avoid liability to the elderly residents who were injured or killed due to the company's negligence.
Kentucky lawmakers refused to grant Extendicare this "free pass." And rightfully so.
After the refusal of lawmakers to bailout the company with a bill that would require personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits against nursing homes to be reviewed further by a medical panel, Extendicare decided to leave Kentucky.
According to at least 43 lawsuits, the health and safety of the residents in the nursing homes owned by Extendicare has been compromised because of the negligence of the company.
Apparently, the same health services company pulled this exact same "vanishing act" in Florida in 2001, when the Florida lawmakers did not hand them a get-out-of-jail-free card.
Although Extendicare, like any other corporation, may not have been fully responsible for the injuries and deaths of its residents -- the company must do its best in order to avoid these types of lawsuits. And being sued by at least 43 families since 2009 does not make a good case for the company was providing the quality care and safety that its residents deserve (and paid for).
The fact that Extendicare is completely up and moving from the state, just because Kentucky lawmakers would not grant them full immunity, is yet another clear indication of liability on the part of the company.
If the company in fact practiced its duty of care and due diligence to all the patients, then it should prove themselves not liable, and move on and continue running the business in the same state.
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