A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed in the case of a woman who was hit by a car after leaving her nursing home. 94-year-old Maria Cobain suffered from senile dementia and was admitted to the Palomar Heights Care Center in Escondido in May of 2005. Mrs. Cobain had a history of attempting to leave the premises, and the facility had allowed her to leave in the past. In November of 2007, Mrs. Cobain left the premises and was killed after being hit by a car while walking on Grand Avenue near Ohio Street. The motorist was driving a vehicle owned by Hidden Valley Security Services. Mrs. Cobain’s son, Alberto, filed a lawsuit against the nursing home for over $25,000. The suit also blames the driver and Hidden Valley Security Services.

The California Department of Public Health issued a citation and a $100,000 fine relating to the death of Maria Cobain. It was the second citation for the Palomar Heights Care
Center in two years. The first was issued in 2006 in the burning death of a 66-year-old man who was smoking while connected to an oxygen tank. The nursing home filed a lawsuit against the Department of Public Health stating that the violation did not occur. 

If you or someone you know has been seriously injured, contact the law firm of Estey & Bomberger.