Missouri Lawyers Media
December 14, 2023
Newsroom Write-up:
The Missouri Court of Appeals affirmed the circuit court’s ruling mandating the state to pay more than $8 million to Vernell Beach, a man injured by a state-employed nurse at a mental health facility. Despite the nurse, Rita Davis, pleading guilty to criminal charges and seeking to withdraw from her defense, the court found her actions were covered under the state’s Legal Expense Fund. Padberg Appelbaum Knepper attorney Theresa Appelbaum represented Beach in the case, arguing that Davis’ criminal conduct did not absolve her from coverage under the fund. The court ruled in Beach’s favor, requiring the state to cover the damages. To read more about this case, click here.