Incidents of Physical Abuse Earn Notoriety for Nursing Home
A nursing home in Richmond, Kentucky, is being called one of the worst in the nation by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The ranking was based on December 2008 data. A hidden video camera apparently caught nursing aides at this facility abusing an elderly patient. The family of the 84-year-old woman reportedly placed a hidden camera in her room to determine why she had bruises. What they found out has led to criminal charges against the former employees of the nursing home. This nursing home is apparently a for-profit chain of facilities.
These news reports are even tough to read without flinching or wondering what kind of a person would physically abuse a frail, elderly person who is very likely suffering from serious illness. But, unfortunately, incidents of abuse and negligence are extremely common in nursing homes. And many of these incidents go unreported because families are required to sign agreements that they will not sue the nursing home, after they place their loved ones there. Many family members are also afraid to complain about the facilities that break the law because they worry about retaliation.
This is wrong and the law should be changed so families are not pressurized to sign such waivers. Here’s the bottom line. If a nursing home employee or nursing home administrator violates the law, they should be held accountable for their actions. The Seattle personal injury attorneys at The Bernard Law Group have protected the rights of numerous personal injury victims over the last 25 years. We have also helped many families hold these nursing homes responsible for the actions of their employees. Call 1-800-418-8282 or send an email to info@bernardlawgroup.com to schedule a FREE comprehensive and confidential consultation that we will provide at no cost to you. We can also send you our FREE informational brochure that has useful and educational information that will help you in understanding your legal rights. Get in touch with Kirk Bernard and his experienced legal team today.
