Reporter: Mike Konon

A jury has awarded the widow, daughter and granddaughter of a San Diegan $590,000 from a convalescent hospital on the grounds of neglect leading to death.

A jury in the courtroom of Superior Court Judge Wesley B. Buttermore Jr. awarded the damages to Grace Lykins, 86, and her daughter, Ruth Spicuzza, and granddaughter, Janet Anziano, in connection with the death May 29, 1981, of Aaron Robert Lykins, 89.

According to testimony during the five-day trial, Lykins was admitted as a patient at Beverly Manor Convalescent Hospital on December 31, 1980, and was transferred to Palomar Hospital on May 4, 1981.

The family’s attorney, T. Michael Reed, said that Lykins’ weight declined from 126 pounds to 90 during his stay at Beverly Manor and that he had many bed sores when he left.

Reed argued that Lykins had been allowed to "rot in his bed" there.

Reed’s law partner, David Casey Jr., said this is believed to be the first time in San Diego County history that a convalescent institution has been ordered to pay punitive damages for neglect of a patient.

Casey said the family paid Beverly Manor $5,690 for four months’ care.

Jurors awarded Mrs. Lykins $50,000 in general damages, Spicuzza $35,000 and Anziano $5,000 and assessed Beverly Manor, operator of 700 convalescent hospitals in the nation $500,000 in punitive damages.