Saturday, February 22, 2014

Political Ad Claims Abuse at Nursing Homes

In the Republican race for governor, an ad paid for by unions was critical of candidate Bruce Rauner
because they claimed that a company he had a relationship to had instances of Nursing Home neglect resulting in Millions of dollars in Jury Verdicts.

The deaths of three women in two Florida nursing homes have been the subject of extensive litigation.

New Ad Claims Abuse at Rauner-Connected Nursing Homes | NBC Chicago

Thursday, February 20, 2014

A nightmare nursing home - Editorial - Newsday

The Medford Multicare Center for Living fits the stereotype of the nursing home from hell. The place has an abominable 11-year record of nursing home abuse, neglect, cover-ups, health infractions, criminal convictions and multimillion-dollar paydays for the owners.

New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman wrote a new chapter in that scandalous history last week when his office arrested seven employees in connection with the October 2012 death of Aurelia Rios, a 72-year-old resident who wasn't connected to a ventilator overnight, as ordered by her doctor. Among those arrested was a respiratory therapist accused of ignoring alarms that sounded every 15 seconds for two hours to indicate the ventilator wasn't connected, and also ignoring pager messages when the patient stopped breathing. The other six -- nurses, aides and managers -- were charged with allegedly allowing the death or covering it up. Two additional employees were charged with patient neglect unrelated to Rios. A nightmare nursing home - Editorial - Newsday

Massachusetts Attorney Bernard Hamill Advocate for the Elderly in Long-Term... -- BOSTON, Feb. 20, 2014

BOSTONFeb. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Attorney Bernard Hamill brought suit against Kindred Healthcare, Inc. alleging that his 85-year-old client had been assaulted at their facility. A Middlesex County jury entered a Massachusetts verdict for Hamill's client on Dec. 17th, 2013 for $2,000,014.00 against Kindred Healthcare, Inc.
The Plaintiff was found with a bruise and bleeding on her vaginal area. Hamill argued that the bruise was caused by abuse. Kindred argued that she had fallen. Because there were no eyewitnesses to any abuse, the defense contested Plaintiff's allegation strenuously, presenting expert medical testimony about falls and other medical conditions that could result in Plaintiff's injury.
Kindred's position was that since a police investigation resulted in no charges and a state investigation was inconclusive, there was no merit to Plaintiff''s claim. Plaintiff successfully argued that she had been assaulted and produced hospital records in support of their claim. The jury deliberated only 3 hours.
With interest the Verdict was $2,477,000.00 for emotional distress, loss of dignity and pain and suffering.
From the official court notice:
"Judgement on jury verdict for plaintiff(s), Jeanne Stanford POA:
It is ORDERED and ADJUDGED: That the plaintiff, Jeanne Stanford POA recover of the defendant(s), Kindred Healthcare, Inc., d/b/a Kindred Transitional Care and Rehabilitation-Marlborough, Kindred Nursing Centers East, L.L.C., Kindred Healthcare Operating, Inc. the sum of $2,014,000.00 with interest in the sum of $460,189.23 as provided by law, and its costs of action. (Paul D. Wilson, Justice). 12/18/2013"
No stranger to litigation against Kindred, Attorney Hamill previously obtained a judgment of $750,000 for two Kindred nursing home abuse victims who were handled roughly. This award was for purely emotional distress as there were no injuries. He advocates for elderly nursing home residents and has a successful track record including the highest awards for emotional distress caused by nursing home abuse.
This award represents the largest jury verdict ever awarded in Massachusetts for nursing home abuse.



Massachusetts Attorney Bernard Hamill Advocate for the Elderly in Long-Term... -- BOSTON, Feb. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/


Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Nursing Home Staffer Raped Patient according to NY Police

A Bronx nursing home nurse was arrested Tuesday, accused of raping a 64-year-old patient who cannot communicate, police and relatives say. 
Police said the 42-year-old supervising nurse at Manhattanville Health Care Center in the Bronx has been charged with nursing home rape. The alleged attack took place overnight into Tuesday as the woman was sleeping. 
Bronx Nursing Home Staffer Raped Patient: Police | NBC New York

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Elder advocate criticizes new Florida nursing home bill

A Senate committee Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that is being panned by some elder advocates as a bill designed to help nursing homes and trial lawyers make money but do little to help residents.

The bill would shield some nursing home investors from lawsuits. The bill also would give families easier access to documents.

Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2014/02/elder-advocates-blast-and-lawyers-and-nursing-homes-for-self-serving-accord.html#storylink=cpy
Elder advocate blasts lawyers and nursing homes for self-serving accord | Naked Politics