Family of bedridden military veteran, 74, who was eaten alive by fire ants at Atlanta VA facility file wrongful death lawsuit against the U.S. government and pest control company
Joel Marrable, 74, an Air Force veteran living at a long-term care facility in Georgia was attacked by two waves of fire ants in the days before his death
His body was covered in more than 100 bites when staff at the VA’s Eagles’ Nest Community Living Center in Atlanta found him
Employees bathed him and moved him to a new room for three days before taking him back where he was once against attacked by the insects
Family of Man Attacked by Fire Ants at V.A. Facility Before His Death Sues U.S.
Joel Marrable, an Air Force veteran, was largely bedridden by cancer and “incapable” of defending himself when ants attacked him at a Veterans Affairs facility, his family said.
Joel Marrable and his daughter Laquna Ross.Credit.Family photo
Feb. 3, 2021
The family of a military veteran who died in 2019 after he was bitten all over his body by fire ants while at a Veterans Affairs facility in Atlanta filed a wrongful-death lawsuit this week against the U.S. government and a pest control company.
FOREST PARK â In advance of the Army Reserveâs 109th birthday celebration, the 3rd Medical Command housed at the Gillem Enclave visited the Eagleâs Nest veterans assisted living community to honor the generation who served before them.
âEvery person thatâs a resident has served,â U.S. Army Reserve Maj. Simon Flake said of the community, which is located on the Veterans Affairs Medical Center campus in Decatur. âWe wanted to go out in a spirit of gratitude for the people whoâve gone before us. Our purpose was primarily to express our thanks.â
Thirteen members of the 3rd Medical Command visited with residents at the Eagleâs Nest Community Living Center Wednesday, April 19. Though the residents are no longer serving in the Armed Forces, once a service member, always a service member, Flake said.