Settlement offers nearly $9M to Louisiana nursing home residents kept in warehouse during hurricane

Nearly $9 million is being offered to elderly residents of seven Louisiana nursing homes who were relocated to a crowded warehouse during Hurricane Ida in 2021. The evacuees faced dire conditions, prompting legal action against nursing home owner Bob Dean Jr. A retired state judge has informed that all 427 former residents who filed claims will receive letters outlining their individual settlement amounts. Payments are expected within weeks for those who accept the settlement, while a hearing is scheduled for January for those contesting the offer. Reports highlighted insufficient food, water, and medical care during their time in the warehouse.

Dean has faced legal repercussions, including a plea to 15 criminal counts and financial penalties. The case has raised concerns about the treatment of vulnerable populations during emergencies, especially as 165 former residents reportedly died since the evacuation, leading attorneys to question the adequacy of the settlement given the suffering endured.