Local Suit Involving Pruitt Health Headed to Arbitration

A Stephens County wrongful death case is headed to arbitration.

Recently, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled in favor of United Health Services of Georgia, Inc. in the case, United Health Services of Georgia, Inc. et al. versus Norton et al.

Through his son and power of attorney, Bernard Norton filed a wrongful death lawsuit regarding the death of his wife, Lola Norton, in April 2014 at PruittHealth-Toccoa nursing home, which is owned and managed by United Health Services of Georgia Inc.

United Health Services and PruittHealth, Inc. appealed the Georgia Court of Appeals decision allowing the wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of his deceased wife to move forward in court against one of its nursing homes, even though his wife had signed an arbitration agreement when she entered the home.

In its ruling overturning the appeals court and agreeing with the original trial court decision to force arbitration, the Court stated that Norton’s son, who also acted as Mrs. Norton’s power of attorney, signed the arbitration agreement that covered all claims related to the care of Mrs. Norton in the faclity.

The state’s Supreme Court also said that agreement specifically states that it applies to wrongful death beneficiaries.

Also, the Court said case precedent states that any agreement like this entered into by a decedent also binds beneficiaries, even if they did not sign the agreement.