City addresses two potential legal cases

    A legal firm was hired by the Imperial city council Monday to address a potential legal dispute over medical coverage.
    In a second issue, they took no action on a tort claim from a family member of a former Imperial Manor resident.
    The firm of Baylor Evnen, LLP in Lincoln was hired regarding matters related to the payment of medical expenses incurred by a beneficiary of a city employee.
    The employee, who was not named, is a member of the city’s self-funded group health plan.
    Hourly rates were part of the letter of engagement approved, which are $250/hr. for attorneys, $220/hr. for associate attorneys and $110/hr. for legal assistants.
    The city will be billed by the law firm monthly.
    City Attorney Josh Wendell said he does not have sufficient experience in the health insurance area, and felt guidance on this specialized claim and the city’s health plan in general were in order.
    In the second issue, Dottie Rankin, personal representative of her mother Sharon Raasch’s estate, submitted a tort claim through her attorney of $500,000.
    In the tort claim letter, her attorney states Raasch was an Imperial Manor resident in 2020, when she allegedly sustained injuries, including a lower back open bed sore.
    She alleges her mother’s wrongful death was caused by the negligence of one or more nursing home employees.
    Wendell said the city has six months to look into the claim, saying he assumes the city’s insurance carrier will take the lead on investigating. After six months and no city action, Rankin can pursue a lawsuit, he said.
    The council took no action on the tort claim.