Jill Adams, a Red Wing mother, received $1.5 million in damages following the death of her son, Caleb Malek, at Zumbro Valley Health Center in 2021. Malek, who was just 23 years old when he passed away, had tested positive for fentanyl, Percocet, and THC in his sober living home before seeking detox treatment at Zumbro Valley Health Center.
In July 2024, the jury found Zumbro Valley Health Center negligent in its care and treatment of Malek. The lawsuit alleged that employees did not follow their policy of checking on Malek every 15 minutes or adequately screening him for drugs upon admission. Additionally, it was claimed that the health center failed to train its staff to recognize signs of a breathing problem, which may have contributed to Malek’s death.
The verdict form for the case was dated March 22, 2024, with the jury ruling in favor of Adams. This case highlights the importance of proper medical care and attention during times of crisis or need. Stories like this can be found on the KTTC app where more news and updates are available. Copyright 2024 KTTC. All rights reserved.
