Maryland Nursing Home Lawyer Blog
Earlier this year in Minnesota, video cameras installed by the loved ones of a nursing home resident caught several nursing home employees engaging in the abuse of a resident. According to one local news source, the videos resulted in a criminal investigation that ultimately led to the termination of several employees and the suspension of others, including those who allegedly knew about the abuse and failed to report it to authorities.
Evidently, the video camera was installed by the family of a resident who spotted bruises and cuts on their loved one. Back in June of this year, the family took the video to the local police department, which conducted an investigation into the allegations and ultimately arrested two of the nursing home’s employees on suspected assault charges. While no charges have yet been filed, the city attorney told reporters that “They did things that I would not want done to relatives of mine if they were in a nursing home, … Inappropriate conduct definitely occurred.”
The nursing home responded with a letter to the family of the woman who was seen abused on the tape, explaining that “this conduct is intolerable and contrary to all we stand for, which is why the employees involved were dismissed.” It remains to be seen if there will be any civil claim for damages filed against the nursing home or its employees.
Video Cameras in Nursing Home Facilities
The Supreme Court of the United States has upheld a nursing home resident’s right – as well as the right of their family members – to install a video recording device to monitor the conditions of a nursing home facility and the level of treatment that residents are receiving when loved ones are not present. Indeed, video recording devices are a good way to monitor the safety and comfort of residents when loved ones cannot physically be there.
Video evidence can also be a useful tool at trial in a lawsuit against an allegedly abusive nursing home. Few forms of evidence allow a judge or jury to understand the alleged abuse as video evidence does. It is important to note, however, that audio recording is not permitted (and likely not allowed to be submitted into evidence at trial) because that has been determined to violate the privacy rights of nursing home staff.
Has Your Loved One Been the Victim of Nursing Home Abuse?
If you have a loved one who has suffered abuse at the hands of their caretakers while staying at a nursing home or other skilled nursing facility, you may be entitled to monetary damages. It should be noted, that while video evidence of abuse may be a convincing form of evidence against an allegedly abusive nursing home employee, it is by no means necessary to the success of a lawsuit. To learn more about what is required in a lawsuit against a nursing home, contact one of the skilled nursing home injury advocates at the Maryland personal injury law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers. Call 410-654-3600 to set up a free, no-obligation consultation today.
See More Blog Posts:
Kentucky Nursing Home Required to Pay $18 Million in Wrongful Death Lawsuit, Maryland Nursing Home Lawyer Blog, published July 27, 2015.
Maryland Family Claims Nursing Home Was Negligent, Resulting in Loved One’s Early Death, Maryland Nursing Home Lawyer Blog, published July 6, 2015.