Many, if not most, of the 800 people housed in filthy conditions inside a sweltering warehouse during Hurricane Ida have yet to receive a $10,000 pay out from nursing home operator Bob Dean.
Those 800 patients, of which 147 have already died, have been waiting for months since a class action settlement was made by Dean over his regrettable evacuation from seven nursing homes owned by him.
The payments were stalled as Dean’s legal team threatened an appeal, but the appeal never came and those payments were supposed to go out initially before Christmas.
According to the Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate, the appeal period ended last month.
The special master assigned to distribute over $12-million dollars to have just gotten underway.
The class plaintiffs will receive approximately $9-million dollars, with just shy of $3-million going to attorney’s fees.
Patients are supposed to receive their $10,000 payment.
Those filing separate malpractice claims may receive more money through their independent lawsuits.
All plaintiffs will receive something from the settlement for enduring the hurricane in an ill-prepared warehouse in Independence.
State officials show that Dean ignored his staff’s pleas for help as residents crammed in the warehouse became sick and some died as a result of the fetid conditions.
Federal authorities say Dean used the warehouse as front to divert money meant supposedly for improvements went to Dean to pay for a lavish lifestyle.
The warehouse was a bare building, with no toilets, showers, or air conditioning.
The Justice Department claims Dean misspent $4-million dollars in money diverted from four of his nursing homes.
Meanwhile, Dean’s lawyers say his personal health is suffering as he had developed dementia.
