In January, 2010, I posted a blog Katrina Wrongful Death: Lack of Emergency Preparedness or "Act of God"?According to today's news reports, a New Orleans judge approved a $25 million settlement over deaths of 45 hospital patients after Hurricane Katrina cut power to the Memorial Medical Center.
Last January, according to the New York Times, more than 100 patients died in New Orleans hospitals and nursing homes in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, when the facilities' power systems failed.
Some 200 lawsuits had been brought in Louisiana alleging that the hospitals or nursing homes had inadequate emergency power systems, failed to have a plan for evacuation of patients, or flood water protection.
Perhaps the settlement of this case will spur the other to reach a similar result.
The hospital defendants alleged that Katrina was an "Act of God", for which they are not responsible.
It appears that someone is now taking responsibility for being unprepared.
