California Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog
One may feel that by placing their loved ones under the care of a skilled nursing facility, they would be provided with quality care. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. An investigation began on March 29, 2013 when an employee at an assisted living facility, Alzheimer’s Care of Commerce in Jacksonville County contacted authorities to report cases of abuse. The Alzheimer’s Care of Commerce focuses on elders who are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
After some investigation, the facility was raided in July 2013. Authorities arrested twenty employees and the owner of the facility following claims that the staff assaulted, restrained, and over-medicated patients. The facility is currently facing a total of seventy two criminal charges. However, according to Mike Ayers, the special agent in charge of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Athens regional office, there could be more charges. They will not know until the district attorney looks at the files. The abuses that are being reported are cruel, inhumane; and so severe that the case may be forwarded to a grand jury this May.
According to authorities, the facility employed a man who was on parole for voluntary manslaughter. This was in direct violation of state law that forbids felons from working at health care facilities. There were employees who were not fit to be administering drugs to the patients. Furthermore, they would drug the more difficult residents so that they would not have to deal with them. The residents were also tied to their beds, which restrained them from moving around. There were even instances of employees physically harming the residents in order to get them to do what was asked of them. Employees also put multiple diapers on the residents so that they would not have to change soiled diapers as often. The employee that went to the authorities also stated that the residents were given medications in order to keep them asleep. This placed all their residents at risk of being over medicated, which could lead to death.
These facilities are responsible for the well being of your loved ones. You should not feel uneasy when placing your loved ones under the care of such facilities. Your loved ones should not be abused or neglected in any way. Furthermore, they should not be put at risk of death because the facility failed to perform a proper background check on its employees. Your loved ones should not be given medication just so the staff would not have to deal with them. Your loved ones should feel that they are in a safe environment, and that they are being treated with the care they deserve. If you feel that your loved one has fallen victim to the abuse or neglect of a nursing home, please contact us today so we can help you fight for their rights. The attorneys here at the Law Offices of Ben Yeroushalmi specialize in nursing home litigation we are here to help you. Contact us today at (888) 606-3453 for a free consultation.
