MOUNT VERNON — Knox County Common Pleas Court has denied The Laurels request to dismiss the $5 million negligence case to former Laurel resident Jack Huls.
The original complaint, filed in August 2018 by Huls’ estate, was against Laurel Health Care Company, Laurel Healthcare Holdings, Inc., The Laurels of Mt. Vernon, Oak Healthcare Investors of Mt. Vernon d.b.a. The Laurels of Mt. Vernon, ALG Lavie, LLC, LV CHC Holdings I, LLC, d.b.a. consulate health care, Whispering Hills facilities and consulate facility leasing.
Messages were left with the plaintiff’s counsel but were not returned by the time of publication.
After the jury ruled in favor of Huls’ estate, Laurel Health Care Co. requested a motion for the case to be dismissed June 30, according to court records.
After several responses from both sides of the court, Judge Richard Wetzel denied the motion for a new trial and to vacate the court’s judgment on Oct. 21.
“The Court finds no evidence nor basis in fact for an order for a new trial, and therefore denies the motion of the defendants for a new trial,” Wetzel said. “The Court also finds that defendants have presented no evidence nor factual or legal basis to stay the enforcement of the judgment entered by this Court on June 24, 2022 after jury trial and a jury verdict against the defendants.”
On Nov. 21, The Laurels and Oak Healthcare Investors of Mount Vernon requested a stay of the order based on the jury’s verdict, pending The Laurels appeal to the Fifth District Court of Appeals, according to court records.
Jack Huls’ estate responded by the defense would have to pay an adequate supersedeas bond, which would be approximately $5,150,000 due to one year’s post-judgement interest at $150,000 and a current statutory rate at 3 percent.
