© 2025 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
TECHNOTE: Tue 9/2/25 Broadcast interruptions during essential testing 9am-5pm

Family Of Man Attacked At Veterans Home Settles Lawsuit

The family of a World War II veteran with dementia who was attacked and died after wandering into another man’s room at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans in 2012 has settled a lawsuit against the state of Michigan.

WOOD-TV reports (http://bit.ly/2tFUNC6 ) the family of Andrew Ball Jr. will get $544,000 and the state will cover $281,000 in court costs and attorney fees.

The 84-year-old man was struck several times in the head after entering another man’s room in April 2012. Ball died a few days later. The death was ruled a homicide, but prosecutors declined to bring charges against the other man in part because he also had dementia.

Ball was living in a secured dementia unit at the state-run veterans home but somehow was able to get out.

___

Information from: WOOD-TV, http://www.woodtv.com

Related Content
Every WKAR News story you read is rooted in fact-based, local journalism, produced without commercial influence and available for free to everyone in mid-Michigan. No paywalls. Ever.

But this work doesn’t fund itself. With significant cuts to federal funding, public media is facing a critical moment. If you believe in journalism that serves the public interest, now is the time to act. Donate today.