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Chatham Retirement Home Sued in North Carolina Wrongful Death Lawsuits Filed Over Fatal Elder Abuse Beatings

The families of Margaret Murta and Mary Corcoran have filed North Carolina wrongful death lawsuits against Galloway Ridge, the upscale retirement home where the two women lived. Corcoran, 82 and Murta, 92, were murdered by their housekeeper at the Chatham community in December 2007. Police say Barbara Turrentine Clark showered the two women with pepper spray and beat them with a cane during a disagreement over forged checks.

In October 2008, the 42-year-old housekeeper pleaded guilty to one count of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and two counts of first-degree murder. She was sentenced to consecutive lifetime prison sentences.

The Chatham County, North Carolina wrongful death lawsuits accuse Galloway Ridge of failing to properly protect its residents. They contend that the retirement community failed to check Clark?s criminal background before bringing her on as a housekeeper.

The housekeeper had engaged in financial elder abuse before working at Galloway Ridge. Clark pleaded guilty in 2007 to check forgery. In 2001, she pleaded guilty to stealing from an elderly person in Durham. She had been ordered to not work in jobs that allowed her access to older persons and their assets.

Assisted living facilities and retirement centers can be held liable for North Carolina nursing home negligence, premises liability, or personal injury if their neglectful or careless acts contributed to causing a resident?s injuries or death.

Financial Elder Abuse
Financial elder abuse is a crime and you can file a North Carolina elder abuse lawsuit if you or someone you love is a victim. Signs of possible elder financial abuse:

? Sudden changes to an elderly person's will
? Sudden transfer of property ownership
? Elderly person becomes broke unexpectedly
? Unusual checking account or credit card activity
? Elderly person can no longer pay for living expenses

Suit filed in beating deaths at Chatham retirement community, WRAL, February 10, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Financial Abuse, National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse

Galloway Ridge

Full post as published by North Carolina Injury Lawyer Blog on February 17, 2010 (boomark / email).