Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect in the News

Of the estimated 17,000 nursing homes in the United States, thousands of those provide excellent, high quality care for aging adults. Sadly, studies have shown that as many as 30% of these nursing homes have received violations that could harm or ultimately take the life of their residents. Many instances of nursing home abuse and neglect go unreported, but more and more people who have watched their loved ones suffer due to nursing home negligence are fighting back and winning.

Negligent Care in a Texas Nursing Home

The family of a 94-year-old woman who was a resident at Green Acres Parkdale Nursing Home filed a lawsuit against the nursing home stating that her legs were amputated because of negligent care. The woman had been a resident of Green Acres Parkdale since 1995 and suffered a fractured hip after falling in 2003. While at the local hospital, she developed bed sores and blisters on her leg and heels.

When the woman was returned to Green Acres Parkdale with the bed sores and blisters, the nursing home staff neglected to properly monitor and treat her condition and prevent infection. The family routinely requested that the staff reposition the woman, treat the wounds and apply new bandages. The unfortunate solution to the woman’s medical condition and weakening immune system was double leg amputation below the knees.

The case was brought to trial and on Feb. 4, 2008 the family was awarded $400,000 in damages.

Abuse Allegations in an Illinois Nursing Home

In 2007, the Pleasant Hill Village nursing home was fined $25,000 by the state for abuse allegations against residents. The allegations stated that two nurse’s aides abused residents by sticking them with safety pins, taunted residents and removed the resident’s personal property if the residents did not behave the way they wanted. The aides were fired from the nursing home and may face criminal charges.

Rape Case in a Florida Nursing Home

In 2003, a 77-year-old female resident of Southwood Nursing Center was sexually assaulted while sleeping by another male resident of the facility. The 83-year-old man had a lengthy arrest record and had been convicted of sex crimes twice in the past. None of the other residents of the nursing home or their families were informed about the resident’s past. The nursing home made no effort to protect the other residents from this potentially dangerous resident. The family sued and was awarded $750,000 in damages.

It is important to watch for any signs of abuse or neglect of loved ones in a nursing home facility. Often residents are incapable or afraid to alert family members of any wrongdoing. All nursing home residents’ basic rights are protected on a state and federal level, and those responsible for negligence should be held accountable. If you feel your loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, contact an attorney before the statute of limitations runs out.