Family sues Slidell retirement home after alleged wrongful death of mother

COVINGTON – The husband and children of a deceased Slidell woman are suing the retirement home in which she was living, after her allegedly minor medical condition led to her death.

Gabriel Bozant, the decedent Rita Bozant’s husband, along with her two children Cheryl Bozant Hallal and Paul Bozant, filed suit against Heritage Manor of Slidell, doing business as the Northshore Living Center, in the 22nd Judicial District Court on May 7.

The plaintiffs claim that Rita Bozant was a resident of the Northshore Living Center when she developed pressure sores and other initially minor medical problems. The plaintiffs allege that the problems should have been easily treated by the retirement home’s medical staff, and hold the defendants responsible for Rita Bozant’s eventual death on Oct. 9, 2012. The plaintiffs claim that the defendant failed to prevent, recognize, diagnose and treat Rita’s allegedly minor medical condition.

The defendant is accused of negligence, mismanaging care of decedent, and failing to properly treat the decedent.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought by the plaintiffs for the pre-terminal pain and suffering of the decedent, the loss of love, affection, companionship, nurture, guidance, services, and support from the decedent, as well as funeral and medical expenses, legal interest and attorneys’ fees.

The case is being sent before a medical panel for further review.

The plaintiff is represented by New Orleans-based attorneys T. Carey Wicker III and J. Alex Watkins of Capitelli and Wicker; and by John A. Venezia of Venezia and Associates APLC of New Orleans.

The case has been assigned to Division A Judge Raymond S. Childress.

Case no. 2014-12048.