The state of Nebraska has settled a lawsuit that accused workers at the Beatrice State Developmental Center of waiting five days to report an accident in which the legs of a resident were broken in a fall.
Gage County District Court documents say Judge Paul Korslund last week approved the settlement of $190,000 to Debra Bauer and $10,000 to her guardian, Michael Ellsworth, who is Bauer's brother.
The lawsuit alleged that Bauer suffered two broken legs on Feb. 15, 2008, when she was dropped by staff members.
Bauer is developmentally disabled and quadriplegic and has lived at the center since 1960.
The documents say the state admitted no wrongdoing but wanted to settle so it could avoid the expense and uncertainty of further litigation.
