Nev. Legislator Allegedly Dies from Elder Abuse in Veterans Home

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Nevada family grieves over the death of former Nev. legislator Robert Robertson, who allegedly died from nursing home neglect at Nevada Veterans Home.

Nevada State Veterans Home is being sued by the family of former Nevada legislator and optometrist Robert Robinson, after the nursing home center’s actions allegedly led to his death. Robinson’s family alleges that the elder care center left him out in the hot sun, where he suffered second degree burns and ultimately died of heat stroke on July 31, 2013.

Robert Robinson was 89 years old at the time of his death. His autopsy reported that he had suffered second degree burns on his legs, arms, and other exposed skin areas of his body. According to the family’s elder abuse lawyer, he was left out in the sun sitting in his wheelchair, reportedly at the height of the Nebraska summer, wearing only shorts. The cause of Robert Robinson’s death, according to his death certificate, includes sepsis, cellulitis, cutaneous burns and prolonged environmental heat exposure.

Robinson’s family is outraged by what happened to their beloved family member, and plan to sue the veterans home facility. The primary plaintiffs are Robert Robinson’s grandson, Craig Robinson, and his widow, Betty Robinson. The family has already hired two elder abuse lawyers who will represent them in the upcoming litigation, and they report that the lawsuit will most likely be filed within 30 days in Clark County District Court. However, they are waiting for the final report from the coroner’s office. They are reportedly conducting a neurological analysis which could help determine how long he was left in the sun.

As of now, the nursing home is being investigated by the Nevada attorney general’s office. The Boulder City Police Department will also be conducting its own investigation into Robert Robinson’s death, and plans on collaborating with the attorney general. Both agencies are also waiting on the final report from the coroner’s office before they continue with their investigations.

The police department admitted that they have been called to investigate this nursing home before, but nothing this severe has ever been reported. They state that they did not receive any notification about Robert Robinson’s injuries before he died. The attorney general’s office is investigating possible criminal activity and potential Medicare fraud from the facility .

According to Betty and Craig Robinson, the explanation they were given about the decedent’s burns was that Robert Robinson was left outside for 15 minutes. The hospital refuted this explanation by stating that these burns would have developed over a much longer period of sun exposure. After the hospital made its medical report to the family, the care center reportedly developed inconsistencies in their side of the story. One such report indicated Robert Robinson’s burns occurred during transport to the hospital.

Background of the Case

Robinson served in the U.S. Army during World War II after graduating from Las Vegas High School in 1941. He was third optometrist in Las Vegas, served in the state Assembly for two terms, and for one term in the Senate. Betty Robinson states that her husband had served his country well, and did not deserve the treatment he received.

The Nevada State Veterans Home reportedly accumulated multiple fines from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid throughout the past year.  Multiple deficiencies in care and structure were found in the facility between June and August 2013 during investigations by the states. From Sept. 14, 2013 to Oct. 21, 2013, the federal centers reportedly suspended payments for new patients of the elder care center. The center had until Dec. 19, 2013 to pay a total of $20,165 in fines.

File an Elder Abuse Lawsuit Today

If you or a loved one have been victim of elder abuse, you have legal options. Please visit the Elder Abuse Nursing Home Neglect Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. There, you can submit your claim for a free legal review and if it qualifies for legal action, a seasoned elder abuse lawyer will contact you for a free, no-obligation consultation. You will be guided through the litigation process at no out-of-pocket expenses or hidden fees. The elder abuse attorneys working this investigation do not get paid until you do.