The Region : $1.35 Million Granted for Loss of Legs

A 70-year-old man received $1.35 million from operators of a West Covina nursing home to settle his lawsuit for the amputation of both legs after he contracted gangrene. Thomas Smalley contended that he developed bed sores because of negligence by Ambassador Convalescent Hospital staff members and that it spread to his toes, heels and knees. His attorney, David Berglund, called the settlement by Ambassador and Western Medical Enterprises Inc. one of the largest in a nursing home negligence case. The attorney for the home was not available to comment on a reported appeal of a $12,000 state fine for negligence in the case.