By Rebecca Feldhaus
Madisonville, KY – Harborside Healthcare in Madisonville must pay nearly $43 million to the family of a man who died from negligent care its nursing home. 92-year-old Joseph Offutt died from severe dehydration, and also suffered from malnutrition, infection and bed sores. He checked in to Harborside of Madisonville on March 25, 2008 and died in a nearby hospital less than a month later. Offutt Estate head counsel Lisa Circeo says though Offutt had a feeding tube, care givers, "failed to ensure he got enough water to live." In an official statement Harborside Healthcare officials, part of the Sun Healthcare Group Inc, say they are disappointed with the decision and plan to "vigorously challenge," the ruling through appeals.