Maryland Nursing Home Lawyer Blog
The problem of sexual abuse committed against nursing home patients by employees or medical providers continues to surprise authorities and victims’ families, who often discover that a loved one has been victimized for an extended period of time before any action is taken. For various reasons, elderly victims in nursing homes are less likely than other victims to report sexual abuse to their families or authorities, and it may take an abuser being caught in the act for authorities to be notified. A New York nursing home employee recently pleaded guilty to abusing a 99-year-old nursing home resident in an act that was witnessed by another employee and may not have been reported otherwise.
After the Abuse Was Discovered, Criminal Charges Were Pursued by State Attorneys
According to a local news report discussing the criminal case proceedings, the perpetrator was a certified nursing assistant who was employed by the nursing home to provide care for the victim and other residents. The report states that on several dates in April 2016, the man placed one resident in a bathroom, while he abused his victim in the attached bedroom.
One of the acts of abuse was discovered by another nursing home employee who entered the bedroom. Authorities were subsequently notified, and they arrested the perpetrator, who admitted other instances of abuse and later pleaded guilty to an 11-count felony indictment filed on the matter.
Additional Recourse for Victims of Abuse and Their Families
Criminal charges that are pursued against a perpetrator of nursing home abuse may result in serious punishments, including significant jail sentences, fines, restitution, and sex-offender registration. Victims of the abuse may be entitled to financial restitution from the defendant in a criminal sexual abuse case, and civil remedies may also be available to victims and their families. Although criminal charges relating to nursing home abuse may generally only be pursued against the perpetrator of the abuse, a civil nursing home abuse lawsuit can be pursued against the nursing home in some circumstances.
In a civil proceeding, the victims and their families may be able to collect damages from the responsible parties. Families of abuse victims can contact a nursing home abuse attorney and discuss the circumstances of their case to determine if a nursing home abuse or medical malpractice lawsuit is appropriate.
Has Your Loved One Been a Victim of Physical or Sexual Abuse?
If you have a loved one who has been physically or sexually abused by an employee or medical provider at a nursing home, a skilled nursing home abuse attorney can help your loved one and you try to hold the responsible parties accountable for their wrongful or negligent conduct. The dedicated Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. nursing home abuse attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers are experienced in holding nursing homes accountable for the wrongful conduct of their employees. Our qualified Maryland nursing home abuse lawyers can help you seek justice for your loved ones. At Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers, we represent clients in Maryland, Northern Virginia, and the entire Washington, D.C. area in cases involving physical or sexual nursing home abuse or neglect, medical malpractice, and other negligence cases. Call us toll-free at 1-800-654-1949 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation today.
More Blog Posts:
Nursing Home Arbitration Clauses May Punish Patients and Families For Expecting Quality Care, Maryland Nursing Home Lawyer Blog, published August 5, 2016.
Court Holds Family Member of Nursing Home Resident Cannot Consent to Arbitration Unless Resident Is Deemed Incompetent by Primary Care Physician, Maryland Nursing Home Lawyer Blog, published July 19, 2016.