A $56 million settlement has been reached between Massachusetts and plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit related to the COVID-19 outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home in the spring of 2020, the Baker Administration said Thursday.In all, 84 veterans at the facility died of COVID-19-related illnesses, and dozens of others, as well as staff members fell ill with the virus, in what is considered one of the worst outbreaks of the pandemic. “I called 100 families, I talked to about 80 of them some of those conversations lasted five minutes and some of them lasted an hour. I’m glad that this discussion took place, and I’m glad there’s a settlement that’s been reached, and I hope there’s a little bit of closure in that for the families,” Gov. Charlie Baker told WCVB.The settlement covers veterans who lived at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home at any time between March 1, 2020, and June 23, 2020, and who became ill or died from COVID-19 during that period.Estates of deceased veterans would receive a minimum award of $400,000 and veterans who contracted COVID-19 but survived would receive a minimum of $10,000, the administration said.The agreement is subject to approval by the federal district court for Massachusetts.“It shows that the state is finally taking responsibility for the poor decisions that the administrators and the leaders in state government made regarding COVID and the Soldiers’ Home,” said Laurie Beaudette.Beaudette’s father, James Mandeville, was 83 when he died at the Holyoke Soldiers Home of COVID-19. “I’m trying to smile right now and think of the good and happy times I had with him, and I’m trying to not lose it emotionally because I know he would want me to stay strong,” she said. Beaudette said the settlement doesn’t give her closure. “It is some sort of justice,” she said. “It’s a step in the right direction.”” … I’m pleased that this lawsuit has been settled with significant compensation for those who were wronged. Our veterans deserved better, and my office will continue to fight … ,” Attorney General Maura Healey said in a statement. “I hope this settlement gives the families some relief and closure.”A scathing report from the inspector general released last month said the home’s leader at the time, Bennett Walsh, lacked both the leadership skills and the temperament to run such a facility when he was hired in 2016. The 91-page report, which covered the period from May 2016 until February 2020 — just before the pandemic struck with full force — was also highly critical of the process that led to Walsh’s hiring as superintendent of the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home and of state oversight of the home.The report acknowledges that Walsh inherited some problems with the home when he was appointed by Baker in 2016, including ongoing staffing issues, tension with unions representing employees and key leadership vacancies.“Even with these management challenges, the office found that Superintendent Walsh was not engaged in the broad range of leadership duties required to manage the home,” the report said.The report also criticized the state Executive Office of Health and Human Services and the state Department of Veterans’ Services for not adequately addressing staff complaints about Walsh.Walsh and the home’s former medical director were charged with criminal neglect by the state attorney general, but the charges were dismissed in November by a judge who cited a lack of evidence.Walsh was suspended and then resigned in September 2020.
HOLYOKE, Mass. —
A $56 million settlement has been reached between Massachusetts and plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit related to the COVID-19 outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home in the spring of 2020, the Baker Administration said Thursday.
In all, 84 veterans at the facility died of COVID-19-related illnesses, and dozens of others, as well as staff members fell ill with the virus, in what is considered one of the worst outbreaks of the pandemic.
“I called 100 families, I talked to about 80 of them some of those conversations lasted five minutes and some of them lasted an hour. I’m glad that this discussion took place, and I’m glad there’s a settlement that’s been reached, and I hope there’s a little bit of closure in that for the families,” Gov. Charlie Baker told WCVB.
The settlement covers veterans who lived at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home at any time between March 1, 2020, and June 23, 2020, and who became ill or died from COVID-19 during that period.
Estates of deceased veterans would receive a minimum award of $400,000 and veterans who contracted COVID-19 but survived would receive a minimum of $10,000, the administration said.
The agreement is subject to approval by the federal district court for Massachusetts.
“It shows that the state is finally taking responsibility for the poor decisions that the administrators and the leaders in state government made regarding COVID and the Soldiers’ Home,” said Laurie Beaudette.
Beaudette’s father, James Mandeville, was 83 when he died at the Holyoke Soldiers Home of COVID-19.
Laurie Beaudette
“I’m trying to smile right now and think of the good and happy times I had with him, and I’m trying to not lose it emotionally because I know he would want me to stay strong,” she said.
Beaudette said the settlement doesn’t give her closure.
“It is some sort of justice,” she said. “It’s a step in the right direction.”
” … I’m pleased that this lawsuit has been settled with significant compensation for those who were wronged. Our veterans deserved better, and my office will continue to fight … ,” Attorney General Maura Healey said in a statement. “I hope this settlement gives the families some relief and closure.”
A scathing report from the inspector general released last month said the home’s leader at the time, Bennett Walsh, lacked both the leadership skills and the temperament to run such a facility when he was hired in 2016.
The 91-page report, which covered the period from May 2016 until February 2020 — just before the pandemic struck with full force — was also highly critical of the process that led to Walsh’s hiring as superintendent of the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home and of state oversight of the home.
The report acknowledges that Walsh inherited some problems with the home when he was appointed by Baker in 2016, including ongoing staffing issues, tension with unions representing employees and key leadership vacancies.
“Even with these management challenges, the office found that Superintendent Walsh was not engaged in the broad range of leadership duties required to manage the home,” the report said.
The report also criticized the state Executive Office of Health and Human Services and the state Department of Veterans’ Services for not adequately addressing staff complaints about Walsh.
Walsh and the home’s former medical director were charged with criminal neglect by the state attorney general, but the charges were dismissed in November by a judge who cited a lack of evidence.
Walsh was suspended and then resigned in September 2020.
