State panel OKs payout in Nevada veterans home death

Charlie Demos Sr. in his room at Boulder City Veterans Home. (Courtesy)

CARSON CITY — The state Board of Examiners agreed Tuesday to pay $750,000 to settle a lawsuit stemming from the 2015 death of a veteran at the Nevada State Veterans Home in Boulder City.

Charles Demos Sr., 88, died after contracting Legionnaires’ disease.

A complaint and class action lawsuit were filed in state court in late 2015 on behalf of the Demos estate and family that accused then-Nevada Department of Veteran Services Administrator Mark McBride of failing to “implement a proper program for the prevention, detection, or control of legionella bacteria and the prevention of Legionnaires’ Disease.”

The settlement was reached after a motion by the state to dismiss the case was rejected in district court.

Gov. Sandoval, a member of the board, expressed remorse for the death of Demos and apologized to the family, but said the agency has learned from the incident.

“I feel horrible that this has happened,” he said.

The facility has a top five-star rating from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske, a member of the board and friend of Demos and his family, concurred with Sandoval’s remarks. She also noted that the home will put a memorial marker at the facility to remember Demos and his military service.

Contact Sean Whaley at swhaley@reviewjournal.com or 775-461-3820. Follow @seanw801 on Twitter.