$12.5 Million Ohio Nursing Home Wrongful Death Verdict

A Butler County, Ohio, jury awarded $12.5 million to the family of Janice Combs in a nursing home wrongful death lawsuit against Chesterwood Village and its corporate operators. The 83-year-old resident died after suffering a catastrophic brain injury while in the facility’s care.

Just two hours after returning from a hospital stay, the resident suffered a serious head injury. The facility reported that she had fallen face-first from her wheelchair in a common area.

However, paramedics found an injury to the back of her head and blood in her room. This evidence supported the family’s allegation that staff dropped her while transferring her from a wheelchair to her bed.

The jury reached its decision in the Ohio nursing home lawsuit in May 2026 after a nine-day trial. The $12.5 million award included $1.5 million in punitive damages, which are meant to punish especially dangerous or reckless conduct.

What Happened in the Ohio Nursing Home Wrongful Death Case?

Janice Combs was blind but living independently when she entered Chesterwood Village in West Chester Township in June 2023. She was there for short-term rehabilitation after a fall at home. Her family expected her to recover and return home.

Instead, only two hours after returning to the facility from a hospital evaluation, she suffered a devastating head injury. She spent the final nine months of her life confined to a bed and dependent on a ventilator before her death in March 2024.

The facility’s account did not match the evidence:

Chesterwood’s records described a face-first fall from a wheelchair in a common area that caused only minor injuries.
Paramedics found an injury to the back of her head and blood in her room. Neither was included in the facility’s records.
The nursing home lawsuit alleged that staff dropped the resident while transferring her from her wheelchair to bed and failed to document what happened.

The jury unanimously found that Chesterwood failed to provide proper care, violated Ohio’s Nursing Home Residents’ Bill of Rights, and caused the resident’s death.

For families, the case shows why nursing home records may need to be questioned when the evidence tells a different story.

Chesterwood Village May Appeal the Nursing Home Verdict

The verdict may not be final. Chesterwood Advanced Therapy and Nursing Care said it “strongly disagrees” with what it called a preliminary verdict. The facility is reviewing its legal options, including an appeal.

The facility blamed the events on a former clinical leadership team. It also cited its current five-star Medicare rating as evidence of its commitment to quality care.

The family’s nursing home attorneys expect the defendants to file post-trial motions, an appeal, or both. The $12.5 million award could still be challenged as the legal process continues.

Get Help from Ohio Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

Nursing home wrongful death verdicts like this show that facilities can be held accountable when poor care causes serious harm, even when the facility’s records do not tell the full story.

An unexplained injury, conflicting records, or staff members who cannot explain what happened may be signs that further investigation is needed.

Strict state laws called the statute of limitations place deadlines on how long families have to file a nursing home abuse or wrongful death claim. Evidence can also become harder to collect as time passes.

If you or a loved one was harmed, our team can connect you with experienced Ohio nursing home abuse lawyers who can review what happened and explain your family’s legal options.

Call us right now at (855) 264-6310 or fill out this form for a free case review. There’s never any cost to speak with us.