Bob Dean, courtesy of Tangipahoa Sheriff's Office June 22, 2022
A preliminary settlement has been reached in the class-action lawsuit against Bob Dean over the evacuation of more than 800 nursing home patients to a warehouse last year during Hurricane Ida. Blair Constant, one of the attorneys representing patients, said a trial date of October 3rd has been set.
“So, the settlement we’re talking about involves all the insurance proceeds, for Bob Dean’s companies, it’s going to be between $12 and $15-million to be determined by the court,” said Constant.
Which equates to approximately $17- thousand for each patient.
The class-action lawsuit is seeking restitution for the 843 nursing home residents who experienced deplorable conditions at the Tangipahoa warehouse after the category 4 storm made landfall a year ago Monday. Constant said reaching a settlement in such a short time frame is rare.
“And our clients could not be happier, could not be more thrilled that they’re getting their piece of justice now, instead of three to five years from now,” said Constant.
Family members of some of the nursing home patients appeared at a news conference Thursday and while many said no amount of money can make up for the suffering caused by Dean, Constant said they hope this keeps others from suffering in the future.
“As excited and as thrilled and satisfied as they are with this settlement, they’re as equally hopeful that this will not happen again,” said Constant.
Dean has since lost his nursing home licenses and is also facing other civil and criminal lawsuits.
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