Back in May 2013, an 84-year-old Korean War veteran who suffered from Parkinson’s disease and dementia was found on the floor next to his bed in a New York State veterans’ home. A few hours later, the man was pronounced dead due to causes that were unrelated to the fall he sustained that morning.
The man had a history of falls, and the nurse who was charged with his care was supposed to check on the man’s well-being at least twice each night. However, the nurse did not even enter the man’s room at all until the nurse’s aide reported that the man was passed out on the floor of his room.
According to a report by MilitaryTimes.com, the nurse just recently pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor offense of committing a willful violation of health laws. In essence, she pleaded guilty to failing to properly care for the elderly veteran who was placed in her care.
In fact, the charges go deeper than a mere failure to care for a resident. There was evidence produced that suggested that the nurse, as well as another certified nurses aide in the facility, falsified business records to cover up the lapse in care. The other nurse is still facing charges, and they are scheduled to go to trial later this year.
Compromised Care for the Elderly
Unfortunately, care for the elderly in this country is wanting. Each year, we see hundreds of cases where elderly residents in nursing homes and care facilities meet too early an end to their lives due to the inadequate care they receive.
Most often this is due to a nurse’s negligence, whether it is failing to check in on a resident, overlooking the most basic hygiene, or neglecting to provided even the most basic medical care. However, in other cases serious injury or death results from an affirmative act of abuse committed by a nursing home employee.
Although more rare than negligence, nursing home abuse is not entirely uncommon in New York nursing homes. Often, a pattern of abuse is discovered only after it is too late because the abused resident has little to no way of reporting the abuse he or she is suffering. This makes it especially important to take any claim of nursing home abuse very seriously.
Has Your Loved One Suffered Abuse at the Hands of a Nursing Home Employee?
If your loved one is in a New York nursing home, and you believe that his or her needs are being neglected or that he or she is being abused by the staff at the nursing home, you should speak with a dedicated nursing home attorney as soon as possible. Depending on the situation, you or your loved one may be entitled to monetary damages to help compensate him or her for the injuries or you for your loss. To learn more about New York nursing home cases, and what must be proven in order to be successful, call the New York personal injury law firm of Duffy & Duffy at (516) 394-4200 to set up a free initial consultation.
See Other Blog Posts:
Mom of Three Killed in Head-On Collision, Off-Duty Firefighter Arrested, Long Island Injury Lawyers Blog, November 12, 2014.
Freak Workplace Accident Claims the Life of Delivery Worker, Long Island Injury Lawyers Blog, November 14, 2014.
