Earlier this month in Florida, the owner of an adult care home was charged in regards to multiple allegations related to the mistreatment of residents, which included such things as abusing residents, failure to provide an adequate number of beds, restraining a resident with handcuffs, and other crimes.
According to a statement from the Florida Attorney General, the formal charges against the woman included neglect of a disabled adult, false imprisonment, aggravated abuse and exploitation.
Authorities allege that the owner failed to provide medical services for at least one resident’s wounds, did not provide an adequate number of beds for residents of the home, restrained at least one disabled adult with handcuffs, abused at least one disabled adult causing wounds on her wrists and permanent disfigurement, and additionally failed to pay at least two disabled adult residents their required monthly personal needs allowance. According to the Attorney General’s statement, the woman is facing up to 60 years in prison and $40,000 in fines.
Unfortunately, the charges against this care home owner are not uncommon. Failure to provide treatment for wounds and otherwise inadequate care are incredibly common in nursing home and assisted care facilities. The most common example of these presents itself when residents are not adequately turned, and develop bedsores. Additionally, the charges related to the use of excessive force and separate abuse of a resident are also common. Sadly, it is also quite common for there to be systematic incidences of abuse or neglect, rather than individually isolated incidents. This is why it is so important to investigate further if you suspect that neglect or abuse may be taking place.
Individuals living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities are among our must vulnerable. We use these types of facilities based on the assumption that they can provide the sort of care that our loved ones need, so it is incredibly disheartening to hear of cases like this one.
While this particular set of circumstances happened in Florida, it could just as easily have happened in Maryland. The charges in this case are criminal. The criminal law system is intended to punish individuals for wrongdoing. In many cases, however, the same person who caused the harm may additionally be liable to the victim in a civil lawsuit, which uses monetary recovery as a mechanism to attempt to compensate the victim for harm caused and/or losses suffered.
If you suspect that an elderly friend or relative living in a nursing home or assisted living facility within the Maryland or the Washington D.C. areas might be suffering from neglect or abuse, contact the experienced nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers immediately. We will help investigate and pursue any potential claims on behalf of your loved one. Contact us today in order to schedule your complimentary and confidential initial consultation. You can reach us by calling (800) 654-1949 or contact us through our website.
More Blog Posts:
Arraignment in Nursing Home Abuse Case, Maryland Nursing Home Lawyer Blog, published October 4, 2013
Sheriff Investigates Claim of Nursing Home Abuse of 86 Year Old Woman, Maryland Nursing Home Lawyer Blog, published September 27, 2013