Lori Semlies (Partner-White Plains, NY) and Anna Borea (Associate-White Plains, NY) obtained a unanimous defense verdict in Supreme Court, Westchester County on behalf of an assisted-living facility and its home care agency. The plaintiff alleged that the staff either abused an 87-year-old woman or failed to prevent her fall. A subdural hematoma and subarachnoid hemorrhage and a bruise were identified at the hospital. Lori and Anna presented evidence that the patient’s bleed was a result  of  anticoagulants and the bruise was one that someone, especially someone on coumadin, would receive from simply bumping into furniture. The treating neurosurgeon was called by the plaintiff to testify that he believed the bleed was more likely caused by a fall, yet conceded on cross that he could not rule out an abrupt shaking of the head without trauma, given the fact that the patient had an atrophied brain and was on coumadin. The plaintiff requested $4.4 million from the jury.