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Lawsuit in Death of Joe Louis' Sister
The Oakland Press
By Jerry Wolffe
July 17, 2008
A lawsuit alleging negligence in the death of the sister of heavyweight boxing legend Joe Louis in February was filed Wednesday in federal court.
The family of Vunies High, the 92-year-old sister of the late Louis, is suing the owner of a Southfield senior facility.
High was found dead outside the independent living facility on Feb. 18 with her face “frozen to the sidewalk,” said attorney Richard Bernstein of Farmington Hills, who filed the lawsuit. She apparently walked out of the building the evening of Feb. 17.
“She walked out of the front door and was found within 30 yards of the door,” Bernstein added.
The suit has been assigned to U.S. District Judge David M. Lawson.
“The case exposes the horrific things” that happen in unregulated independent living facilities, Bernstein said.
The suit was filed against Dallas-based Capital Senior Living Properties 2-Heatherwood Inc., which operates the Heatherwood facility in Southfield where High lived.
A message seeking comment was left with Capital Senior Living in Dallas.
The plaintiff in the case is Sidney High of Detroit, the son of Vunies High and nephew of Louis, who held the world heavyweight boxing title for years. He is considered by many sports experts to be among the top heavyweight boxers of all time as well as an icon of Detroit.
The suit states that the facility and its operator are guilty of at least four negligent acts leading to High’s death. It also seeks damages, but Bernstein also believes this case could serve as an example for how senior living facilities across the nation should care for their residents.
Bernstein said unlike Medicaid-nursing homes, there are no state or federal regulations to control conditions of those living in independent living facilities such as Heatherwood.
He said that according to the company, the owner of the Southfield living facility earned $189 million in profits in a year and has some 9,500 residents living in its 23 facilities in the United States.
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$3,000,000
A truck driving recklessly and at an excessive speed strikes our client. Our client suffered catastrophic injuries.
$2,875,000
Medical malpractice involving general anesthetic of a young child during surgery. Our client suffered severe and permanent brain damage.
$2,700,000
Our client's vehicle was rear-ended by a bus. Our client suffered a Closed Head Injury (CHI), coma condition, internal bleeding, and spinal trauma.
$2,200,000
An explosion occurred while pumping gas. The explosion was caused by the gas station. Our client suffered major burns.
$2,150,000
Our client, a young girl, suffered electrical burns resulting in permanent scarring.
$2,000,000
Our client died as a result of multiple injuries caused by a car accident.
$3,000,000
A truck driving recklessly and at an excessive speed strikes our client. Our client suffered catastrophic injuries.
$2,875,000
Medical malpractice involving general anesthetic of a young child during surgery. Our client suffered severe and permanent brain damage.
$2,700,000
Our client's vehicle was rear-ended by a bus. Our client suffered a Closed Head Injury (CHI), coma condition, internal bleeding, and spinal trauma.
$2,200,000
An explosion occurred while pumping gas. The explosion was caused by the gas station. Our client suffered major burns.
$2,150,000
Our client, a young girl, suffered electrical burns resulting in permanent scarring.
$2,000,000
Our client died as a result of multiple injuries caused by a car accident.
