Family Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit After Prescott Nursing Home Resident Found Dead in Summer Heat

A heartbreaking tragedy in Prescott, Arizona, has led to a wrongful death lawsuit against Granite Creek Health and Rehabilitation Center, after a 67-year-old man with physical and mental health challenges died when he was able to leave the facility unsupervised in his motorized wheelchair.

According to the lawsuit, Larry Christofferson left Granite Creek on July 4, 2024, without staff noticing. Hours later, he was found dead on a nearby street — face down on the pavement, in the extreme Arizona heat. His son, Dean Christofferson, said that Independence Day will forever carry a different meaning.

“The 4th of July is supposed to be about celebrating America. I can’t do that anymore — that’s the day he died,” Dean said.

A Preventable Tragedy

The lawsuit, filed in Yavapai County Superior Court, alleges that Granite Creek’s staff failed to properly supervise a high-risk resident they knew required constant oversight. Larry had been admitted to the facility for depression, anxiety, and mobility issues, and his care plan made clear that he was not permitted to leave the building without supervision.

His admission records, according to court filings, even included the instruction in bold letters:

“MAY NOT GO OUT ON PASS.”

Yet on that hot July afternoon, surveillance footage captured Larry rolling past the reception desk and through the unlocked front door, without anyone stopping him. The lawsuit alleges that no one was stationed at the desk and the main entrance — which was supposed to remain locked — had been left open.

Hours Before Anyone Noticed

Even more disturbing, the lawsuit states that staff did not realize Larry was missing for several hours. By the time they contacted local police, Larry had been exposed to the blistering afternoon heat for too long. Officers used his cellphone to trace him to a nearby neighborhood, where he was found unresponsive in someone’s backyard.

Dean Christofferson said his father’s death was entirely avoidable.

“It makes me angry that my dad had to suffer because someone couldn’t do their job,” he said.

This tragedy underscores a recurring issue in nursing homes and rehabilitation centers across the country — a lack of proper supervision and failure to implement basic safety measures for vulnerable residents.

Nursing Homes Have a Duty to Protect Residents

Federal and state laws require long-term care facilities to maintain a safe environment and protect residents from harm, including elopement — when a resident leaves the facility unsupervised or unnoticed.

Elopement can be deadly, especially in states like Arizona where extreme heat can cause heat stroke, dehydration, or cardiac arrest within minutes. Residents with dementia, psychiatric conditions, or physical disabilities are particularly at risk.

In this case, Larry’s family believes Granite Creek failed to uphold its legal duty.

The Granite Creek facility declined to comment on the pending lawsuit, issuing only a brief statement saying that their staff “work every day with the goal of taking excellent care of each individual.” No information has been released regarding disciplinary action or procedural changes following the incident.

Accountability and Awareness

The Christofferson family says their lawsuit isn’t about money — it’s about accountability and making sure no other family endures a similar loss.

Cases like this reflect a widespread crisis in elder care, where understaffing, miscommunication, and lax oversight can have fatal consequences. Families often place loved ones in skilled nursing facilities out of trust — believing they’ll be safe, monitored, and cared for. But when that trust is broken, the results can be catastrophic.

KBD Attorneys: Standing Up for Families Affected by Nursing Home Negligence

At Ketterer, Browne & Davani (KBD) Attorneys, we share the Christofferson family’s belief that tragedies like this should never happen. Nursing homes and care facilities have a legal and moral obligation to protect those who cannot protect themselves.

Our firm represents victims of nursing home neglect, abuse, and wrongful death nationwide. From elopement and wandering cases to failures in supervision, we’ve seen firsthand how preventable errors can devastate families.

By sharing stories like Larry’s, we hope to raise awareness and push for accountability across the elder care industry. These cases are not isolated — they are part of a pattern that demands reform.

If your loved one has suffered harm or died due to nursing home negligence, KBD Attorneys is here to help. We work tirelessly to uncover the truth, hold facilities accountable, and seek justice for families whose trust has been violated. Contact us today.

You and your family deserve answers — and change.

Source: azfamily.com