Never Discount The Real Impact Of Sexual Abuse On The Disabled
Concerned about their daughter's health, the family of Violet Townsend immediately sought medical care for the 29-year-old woman when they noticed blood on the seat of her wheelchair while visiting her at Grande Oaks Nursing Home (Ohio). After receiving care at a nearby hospital, it was determined that Ms. Townsend's injury was consistent with a sexual assault and tested positive for a STD. What makes Ms. Townsend's situation unique and her situation especially troubling is that a brain injury she sustained in 2006 has left her immobile and unable to communicate. An investigation into the incident by both officials at...
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Lawsuit Ensues After Housekeeper Brutally Attacks Assisted Living Patient
Is it too much to ask for a safe place for our loved ones to live? Sure expansive bathrooms and gourmet food are nice, but at the very least, shouldn't we be able to expect a safe environment free from violence? Yet as an assisted living lawyer, I continually see elderly people in nursing homes and assisted living facilities becoming victims of violent attack both at the hands of fellow residents as well as rogue staff. In many cases, the violent acts are particularly disturbing because some of the offenders have absolutely no business even walking in the vicinity of...
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Home Care Nurse Mishap Results In Brain Injury To Patient
There's been a lot of internet chatter regarding the home-video of a quadriplegic British man who suffered a brain injury after his home care nurse shuts off the life-support system and is unable to switch it back on. What makes this situation so tragic is that the man was so concerned about the poor care he was receiving that he had a video camera mounted in his room to document his care. If anything, I hope this video serves as a reminder to all caregivers that they should be aware of how to care for their patients in...
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What Brings You To The Nursing Home? The Answers May Surprise You?
Unknown to many, there are people in nursing homes that require skilled nursing care for reasons aside from old-age and de-conditioning. A substantial number of nursing home patients require short-term and long-term care due to various types of personal injuries and conditions related to negligence of others. In some circumstances, we have successfully prosecuted many ancillary cases despite the fact that we may have been initially contacted to investigate a situation involving nursing home abuse or neglect. Below is a sampling of the personal injury matters we have prosecuted on behalf of nursing home patients. Medical Malpractice: Errors made by...
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Even Common Falls Put Elderly At Risk For Developing Subdural Hematomas
Frequently undiagnosed and under-appreciated, falls amongst the elderly can frequently result in brain bleeds or technically termed 'subdural hamatoas'. Because elderly are predisposed to developing subdural hamatomas, staff in nursing homes and hospitals need to be tuned into the symptoms and when to seek additional medical care. What is a subdural hematoma? A subdural hematoma is a type of intracranial bleeding (hemorrhage), caused by head injury. Subdural hematomas occur when blood vessels burst in the space between the brain and the outermost membrane that covers the brain (dura mater). The collection of blood forms a hematoma, which puts pressure...
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Fentanyl Overdose Leads To 1.6M Nursing Home Settlement
Ruth Lomeo, a 44-year-old disabled person, will receive $1.6 million from the California nursing home responsible for her care. In July, 2005 Lomeo was admitted to Edgemoor Geriatric Hospital for treatment of Lupus, a chronic inflammatory disease. The nursing home staff was responsible for properly administering Fentanyl skin patches to help Lomeo cope with chronic pain. Physician orders directed the nursing home staff to put the pain patches on alternating arms every 48 hours. On July 25, 2005, the nursing home staff negligently put two Fentanyl patches on one arm while leaving a third patch in place on the alternate...
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Illinois Nursing Home Settles Lawsuit Involving Multiple Falls Of Resident
Winchester House, a Lake County, Illinois nursing home, has chosen to settle a pending nursing home negligence lawsuit involving a resident who fell multiple times in the facility and ultimately died. Under the terms reached during mediation, the family of Helen Menneke will receive $1 million for the loss of their 83-year-old relative. Helen Menneke was admitted to Winchester House in 2004 for treatment and care of dementia. Ms. Menneke fell several times over the course of her admission, suffering a traumatic brain injury and fractured bones. Although nurses implemented an alarm system for Ms. Menneke's bed and wheelchair,...
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Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Definition: A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a blow to the head that results in a disruption of the normal brain functioning. TBI's may range from a brief change in cognitive functioning to an extended period of unconsciousness. (Source: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control) TBI's are some of the more common injuries sustained by nursing home residents. TBI's are most common in the elderly population. Facts: How common are TBI's: 1.4 million American have a TBI each year 52,000 deaths per year 235,000 hospitalizations 1.1 million emergency room treatments It is a surprise to most people that people...
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