Family of elderly man attacked in St. Joseph’s Villa sues

The family  of the elderly man who died after being violently beaten in his nursing home bed is suing St. Joseph’s Villa.

James Acker was attacked by another resident at the Dundas retirement home in January 2017.

The 86-year-old, who suffered from Alzheimer’s, had a stroke and died three months later.

Acker’s attacker, an 83-year-old man who also has Alzheimer’s, was not charged.

A provincial investigation found that St. Joseph’s Villa failed to protect its residents, in part, by not acting on the attacker’s behaviour beforehand.

The facility is owned by St. Joseph’s Healthcare.

“We want to again express our deepest sympathy to the Acker family,” St. Joseph’s Healthcare said in a statement.

“We have just recently received the legal statement of claim from their lawyers, and will respect and cooperate through the legal process.”

The family is suing for $9 million.