A Wilcox County, Alabama jury found a local nursing home responsible for the death of Mr. Colvin Towns, Sr. Darrell Towns, the decedent’s son, hired Beasley Allen nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer Gavin King to represent him in the case. This trial was the first jury trial held in Wilcox County since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. King was joined by Beasley Allen’s Ryan Kral, as well as William Pompey of Pompey & Pompey of Camden, AL.
Mr. Towns was a resident of Camden Nursing Facility in Camden, Alabama 2008 until his death in September 2016. At trial, Mr. King argued that despite the facility being aware of Mr. Towns’ fragile state, staff failed to adequately assess, evaluate, or implement care plans and respond to his needs. During the summer of 2016, when it became clear that he was at risk for pneumonia, the nursing staff also failed to respond in a timely manner. As a result, on August 31, Mr. Towns was sent to the emergency department and admitted to Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery. Upon arrival, Mr. Towns was diagnosed with healthcare-associated pneumonia, which led to acute respiratory failure and septic shock. He ultimately died on September 8.
“Nursing homes have a responsibility to provide our loved ones with the care that we cannot ourselves. A jury in Wilcox County reminded Camden Nursing Facility of that today,” Mr. King says. “Mr. Colvin was a common man from a rural community. Today, a jury told anyone who will hear that his life mattered.” Mr. King closed by saying, “I’m reminded today of why courtrooms and juries are so vital. Sometimes it’s the only way that justice can be achieved for the common man.”
