Elder Abuse Lawyers: 91 Year Old Dies Due to Daughter’s Neglect

Sadly, it is far too common that adult children neglect their aging parents. As elder abuse lawyers, we know too well that caring for someone in their old age is a daunting task and takes a lot of effort and dedication. Adult children want to think that they are the best person to care for their parents, but sometimes they get frustrated or overwhelmed and begin to neglect or abuse their loved one.

Daughter Goes on Two Week Vacation and Leaves Elderly Mother Alone

elder abuse lawyers in NJ and PA
In 2008, Susan Piro left her 91 year old mother, Barbara Mary Piro, home alone for two weeks while she went on vacation. Susan, a nurse and Barbara’s sole caretaker, was fully aware that her mother was not able to take care of herself, admitting that she would not be able to wash or change her clothes while she was gone. Susan left casseroles, fruit, biscuits, and canned food on her mother’s bedside table for her to consume. She left a toilet in the room and fit her for incontinence pads but acknowledged that her mother would not have been able to empty the waste from the toilet herself.

The elderly woman’s great nephew, Andrew Ghouse, came to the house to check on Barbara but did not enter the home. He asked her if she needed anything but she insisted that she was fine and responded “If I need your help, I’ll ask for it.” When he returned a few days later the woman had died. The coroner found that Piro had an untreated broken ankle, where the bone was exposed, that prevented her already limited mobility. This led to abscess formation, pressure sores and fatal thrombosis.

It is appalling that Susan felt that the accommodations that she made for her mother were acceptable. If she was going to leave her mother for that period of time, she should have found another caretaker to watch her the entire time. She clearly knew that her mother was not capable of caring for herself for a few days, let a lone a few weeks. This is unacceptable, no matter how much her mother fought her to be left alone. No one should have to suffer in that way. Barbara died alone, unable to move, in her own filth, surrounded by rotting food.

Elder Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one is currently under the care of an individual or they are a resident of a nursing home or care facility and you are worried that the care they are receiving is negligent, abusive, or inadequate you should speak with an elder abuse lawyer. Contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call for a free consultation with one of our elder abuse lawyers at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Elder Abuse Lawyers: California Developing Website to Report Abuse

Every state operates differently. Elder abuse lawyers and state officials advocating for the elderly are always looking at the procedures of other states to find out what is working in the fight against abuse and neglect.

New legislation is waiting the approval of the governor in California to develop a secure website for police, doctors, and other authorities to report suspected elder abuse and neglect. The current system in California, and in a good portion of the country, involves a phone call to the state’s elder abuse hotline to report all forms of suspected abuse. The biggest flaw with the hotline, however, seems to be that, because it is used by both lay citizens and legally obligated authorities to report abuse or neglect, callers deal with long wait-times which in turn causes frustration and hang-ups.

The proposal in California suggests a reporting website for police and other civic authorities which would eliminate a large portion of the callers and lessen wait times, allowing the public to speak to a representative faster. The goal, of course, would be to create an easier reporting process for individuals with information, reducing the number of hang-ups and encouraging more people to come forward. According to a 2010 study of county calls, one in four callers hang up rather than wait while they are placed on hold. Developing a website and separating callers would also speed up the reporting process for doctors and police who do not have time to sit and wait through hour-long wait times to report suspected abuse.

“This effective reporting system will ensure that our seniors’ voices are heard and abuses are not overlooked,” said Sen. Juan Vargas, a San Diego Democrat who carried the bill.

Reporting Elder Abuse in New Jersey

As elder abuse lawyers, we know how frustrating the long wait times can be for the elder abuse hotlines. Phone representatives for these hotlines work very hard to keep up with an influx of calls while getting all necessary details, but this often results in a lot of waiting. Approving proposed legislation to ease the process almost seems like a no-brainer. Elder abuse lawyers at the Mininno Law Office hope to see that this legislation is passed and similar systems start to pop up nation wide.

The New Jersey Ombudsman’s Office works to investigate allegations of elderly abuse and neglect. You can report any suspicions anonymously by calling their 24 hour toll-free hotline toll at 1-877-582-6995, or emailing at ombudsman@advocate.state.nj.us. We feel that anonymity is very important for those who could lose their job or feel uncomfortable revealing potential elder abuse. The problem with the current New Jersey system is that the only way to anonymously report abuse is to call and wait to speak to a representative. A website similar to the one being proposed in California for the general public would allow someone to report abuse over the internet without having to use their email address. An anonymous secure website would be an efficient and quick way to report elder abuse to state authorities.

Elder Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one is currently a resident of a nursing home or care facility and you are worried that the care they are receiving is negligent, abusive, or inadequate , contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation with an elder abuse lawyer. You may also call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Nursing Home Abuse and the State Ombudsman

nursing home abuse and beglect ombudsman in new jersey
By definition, an ombudsman is a government official who hears and investigates complaints by private citizens against other officials or government agencies. In the state of NJ, an ombudsman works on behalf of the elderly in nursing homes and long term care facilities through the The Office of the Ombudsman for the Institutionalized Elderly. This office accepts reports and complaints of nursing home abuse, negligence, inadequacy, theft, fraud, and other issues concerning the care residents receive in nursing homes and long term care facilities. The office invesitigates these reports of abuse and neglect from a neutral, third party stand-point, and takes the proper steps in the event that abuse is taking place.

I am a Victim of Nursing Home Abuse, What Should I Do?

If you or someone you know have been abused or neglected in a nursing home, the first thing you should do is contact the Elder Ombudsman’s Office. They will document the complaint, and take further steps to investigate it. Your next step is to contact a nursing home abuse attorney.

The NJ and PA nursing home abuse attorneys at the Mininno Law Office are dedicated to eradicating the disturbing trends of abuse and neglect in our nation’s nursing homes and long term care facilities.

Contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, and (215) 567-2380 in Philadephia.

New Jersey Office of the Ombudsman for the Institutionalized Elderly
To file a complaint:
Call 24-Hour Toll Free Hotline: 1-877-582-6995
Email: ombudsman@advocate.state.nj.us
Write: The Office of the Ombudsman
P.O. Box 852
Trenton, NJ 08625-0852
Fax: 609-943-3479

Pennsylvania Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Pennsylvania Department of Aging
555 Walnut Street, 5th floor
Harrisburg, Pa. 17101-1919
(717) 783-8975

Elder Abuse Lawyers Report on Man Killed by Bed Sores

new jersey philadelphia elder abuse lawyers bedsores stage four

As elder abuse lawyers, we’ve seen and heard it all when it comes to nursing home residents and bedsores. But occasionally, a story or case comes along that is so severe it shocks us. Ross Rasmussen, 58, is facing charges of severe elder abuse after the death of an 86 year old manunder his care.

The man suffered a stroke that left him unable to move or speak. He was staying in a “remotely-operated” care home where Rasmussen worked. Rasmussen is a registered nurse and was the case manager for the man which meant that he was supposed to monitor his condition and provide the necessary care. Rasmussen is pleading no contest to the second-degree assault charges that say he failed to provide that care from July 2007 to October 2007. Rasmussen maintains that he checked on the man every month, as required, and on his last visit on September 11, 2007, there were no signs of bedsores. “If I had known there was a problem, we would have done something about it,” he said in court.

But on October 12, 2007, the elderly man was found unconscious and taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center. There, they found the man plagued with more than 11 bedsores. The bedsores covered his entire back side, from shoulders to heels. One of his heels actually developed gangrene. The man died three days later. Deputy Attorney General Dawn Shigezawa said, “Many of them were stage four, meaning it went through tendon all the way down to the bone. By the time he got to the hospital, he was too late to be saved. It was a horrible way to die.” Rasmussen has been ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and was placed on five years’ probation.

Caretaker Fails to Provide Bare Minimum Care

According to Shigezawa:

“The state’s position is that the defendant flat out did nothing…Basically, any RN (registered nurse) worth his salt as a professional would have at least noticed his wounds due to the severity. If Mr. Rasmussen basically did the minimal check and looked down his hospital gown, he would have noticed it…It wouldn’t have taken much. It was just a case of severe neglect.”

Late stage bedsores take a significant time to develop and Rasmussen should have known that a patient that is physically immobile is at a high risk of bedsores and needs to be turned multiple times per day. Monthly visits are not enough to prevent such a horrible outcome and Rasmussen did not fulfill his obligation as a caretaker.

Elder Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one is currently under the care of an individual or they are a resident of a nursing home or care facility and you are worried that the care they are receiving is negligent, abusive, or inadequate, you should speak with our professionals: contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation or call for a free consultation with one of our elder abuse lawyers at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers: Man Found With Sores and Maggots on Feet

new jersey philadelphia nursing home abuse Deseret HealthCare Rehabilitation center

As nursing home abuse lawyers , it is not often that we are shocked by a case of abuse or negligence. Every once in a while, however, we come across a story that is so disturbing, that it’s hard to imagine any type of care facility allowing their care to become so lax.

On Tuesday, September 20, 2011, a 67 year old man was taken to the Via Christi Hospital in Kansas for chest pains. The doctors discovered that the resident of the Deseret HealthCare and Rehabilitation center had open sores and maggots on his feet. The police were called and the victim told them that he was being mistreated at the facility.

Facility Shows Poor Track Record

Melisa Land, the Deseret HealthCare and Rehabilitation’s administrator, would not discuss the patient. Below is the statement she did release;

“However, we are taking these allegations seriously. We are currently investigating the situation and fully cooperating with the proper agencies…As always, the Deseret commitment is to the health and safety of each and every resident — including the resident making the allegation.”

This incident has brought up the home’s poor record. In the latest inspection in April, the facility was cited for twenty-five violations, a number that is significantly higher than the state average of eleven and the national average of eight. Officials found a rusty floor vent, a broken call light, a resident whose toenails had grown an inch from the tip of the toes, and a resident’s bed left with urine soaked sheets. These are serious deficiencies that put the residents at risk for physical harm.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time the home has received poor performance reviews. In December 2008, 47 citations were handed out, and in December 2009, another 24.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you have witnessed your loved one being abused, you have noticed any strange bruises, scratches or sores, or you fear that the care they are receiving may be considered negligent or abusive, our professionals can address your questions and concerns. Contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call for a free consultation with one of our nursing home abuse lawyers at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Elder Abuse Lawyers Congratulate Activist for Winning ‘Genius’ Grant

On Tuesday, September 20, 2011, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation awarded Marie-Therese Connolly their $500,000 “genius grant.” According to the MacArthur Foundation, Connolly has “devoted her career to laying bare the many forms of elder abuse: physical and psychological, as well as financial exploitation and wrongful deprivation of rights.” As elder abuse lawyers , we were very happy to hear about the recognition of someone who has spent her career fighting for those who can no longer fight for themselves.

elder abuse lawyers in NJ and PA
Marie-Therese Connolly, a former Department of Justice lawyer, recently said in an interview,

“I was shocked that the problem is so invisible…There is so much opportunity for change, and I can’t think of another issue that affects so many people and where less is being done.”

She has worked tirelessly for years hoping to change the problem of elder abuse. She has written, lectured, testified before Congress and been instrumental in creating laws that help protect the elderly. In the late 1990s, Connelly was put in charge of the Elder Justice and Nursing Home Initiative that was created by the Clinton administration. She was the inventor of the Elder Justice Act which Congress passed last year and the founder of Life Long Justice, a non profit organization aims to fight elder abuse.

“It should be a part of the national conversation like health care, justice and jobs… I’m just hoping that the foundation’s recognition of what’s really a growing epidemic is the beginning and will be a game-changer in the whole field,” Connelly said.

Connelly’s Peers in the Fight against Elder Abuse Sing Her Praises

Connelly is admired and respected among elder abuse lawyers, government officials, and other advocates for the elderly. It is amazing what she has done for the elderly community and she deserves all of the recognition and praise she receives.

“I see her as one of the major leading figures in the development of a broader social movement to address elder abuse,”

said Kathy Greenlee, the assistant secretary for aging at the Department of Health and Human Services. U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. also commented,

“I commend the MacArthur Foundation for recognizing the critical importance of the work Marie-Therese helped launch several years ago at the Justice Department, and the need for our continued vigilance in combating elder abuse, fraud and neglect.”

Elder Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one is currently a resident of a nursing home or care facility and you are worried that the care they are receiving is negligent, abusive, or inadequate, contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call for a free consultation with one of our elder abuse lawyers at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Nursing Home Abuse: Account Manager Steals and Nurse’s Aid Slaps

Nursing home abuse is not necessarily limited to physical or verbal abuse. Financial abuse is becoming more prevalent as the economy worsens. The elderly, a vulnerable and often trusting population, are an easy target for financial abuse. Frequently checking into your loved ones accounts is vital in preventing this crime from taking place. Be highly selective of who is allowed access into bank accounts. Even employees of a nursing home could have devious intentions.

Staff Member Steals $28,000 from 94 Residents

new jersey philadelphia nursing home abuse manager steal connecticut
A Connecticut nursing home is being fined $3,000 after $27,472 was stolen from 94 residents by a staff member. The administrators of the Village Green of Waterbury discovered the theft in October. According to administrator Linda Garcia, the nursing home’s account manager had full access to the resident’s accounts. She would make a request on behalf of a resident to withdrawal money, but requested more than the resident and kept the difference for herself. “We asked her for an explanation. When she couldn’t provide one, we terminated her,” said Garcia. The nursing home is currently in the process of reimbursing all of the residents. According to an inspection report by the state Department of Health, “money was withdrawn from cognitively impaired residents’ accounts without the responsible parties’ consent.”

Another incident of nursing home abuse that the facility is being fined for is an event in June when a nurse’s aide slapped a resident on the shoulder in order to wake him up and yelled “get out!” The resident happened to be the president of the resident’s council and reported the incident. There was an internal investigation held by the nursing home and the aide was fired.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

We recommend that you monitor your elderly loved one’s finances closely to avoid financial abuse. If your loved one is currently a resident of a nursing home or care facility and you are worried that the care they are receiving is negligent, abusive, or inadequate, or that they are being taken advantage of financially, contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Reach Agreement with Abusive Nursing Aide

Physical violence and abuse towards the elderly and other vulnerable populations is unfortunately prevalent in our society. As nursing home abuse lawyers , we come across horrible cases of abuse and neglect almost daily. It is important that facility administrators continue to monitor all employees no matter their past performance and that family members pay close attention to their loved ones when they visit.

Woman Pleaded No Contest to Charges of Elder Abuse

new jersey philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyers agreement aide shawna hardesty
Shawna Hardesty, a former nursing assistant, has been accused of intentionally abusing a patient in the nursing home where she used to work. She is being charged with repeatedly punching a 93 year old woman in the forehead, resulting in a baseball sized bruise. According to the complaint, Hardesty had hit the elderly woman on several occasions and, on August 2, 2010, she punched her three times on the forehead, causing a headache and a large bruise. The elderly woman told authorities, “Every time she (Hardesty) comes in this room, I get a biff,” displaying a closed fist.

Hardesty entered into a two year deferred prosecution agreement where she pleaded no contest to the charges but will maintain innocence. She must undergo anger management and counseling, complete 40 hours of community service during the first year and she is not allowed to work or volunteer as a caregiver. She may care for relatives and children. Her employment at the nursing home has been terminated after working at the care center for about a year.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you have witnessed your loved one or any nursing home resident being abused, or you fear that the care they are receiving may be considered negligent or abusive, you probably have a lot of questions and concerns. Contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Discuss “Granny Cams”

There has been some debate over the use of “granny cams” in nursing home facility patient rooms. As technology advances, more and more people are placing cameras in the rooms of their elderly loved ones in order to catch or prevent abuse. Our nursing home abuse lawyers have written about numerous cases of abuse that were discovered because the family suspected something was wrong and decided to place a hidden camera in order to prove suspected mistreatment.

The Debate over Hidden Cameras in Nursing Homes

new jersey philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyers discuss granny cameras Cases have been reported all over the country in which the use of cameras has helped catch abusive and/or negligent nursing home employees. There is still some debate, however, over the privacy issues with hidden cameras in patient rooms. Those against the use of cameras have said that they would,

make hiring new staff more difficult;
cause misinterpretations of incidents; and
violate resident and employee privacy issues.

There are many facilities and individual advocates for the elderly that support the use of hidden cameras. Supporters argue that that the cameras are an effective way to monitor employees that mistreat the elderly residents. According to Georgia Anetzberger, president-elect of the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse,

“Cameras are used to catch people more than ever before, not just because the technology is there but because it’s more widely accepted.”

Texas is one of the few states that have created laws approving the use of cameras in nursing home facilities. Residents and their families have the right to place cameras if they choose. Patty Ducayet, the state’s long-term care ombudsman, said

“I really do think it is a deterrent… People know you’ve got a device in your room…I think it does have the potential to influence the way someone behaves and cares for you in the privacy of your room.”

Even though the use of “granny cams” has increased, it is still a small part of the population that has opted to use the technology. Most families either do not feel that hidden cameras are necessary, or they don’t want to impose on their loved ones by constantly recording them in their rooms. But these cameras have been vital to the numerous cases of nursing home abuse that otherwise may not have been able to be proven. It should be the resident themselves and their families’ choice whether they want to place cameras in their rooms or not.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one is currently a resident of a nursing home or care facility, we encourage you to visit frequently and be very observant of any scratches, bruises or anything that does not look right. If you are worried that the care they are receiving is negligent, abusive, or inadequate, contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call for a free consultation with one of our nursing home abuse lawyers at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers: CNAs Took Unauthorized Photo of Resident

Unfortunately, among a sea of good, attentive, and compassionate nursing home caregivers, exists a great many negligent, abusive, and careless nursing home caregivers. As nursing home neglect lawyers, we hear about, on a daily basis, different types of abuse ranging from the horrible cases that end in serious injury and even death, to cases where the staff takes advantage of their power through inappropriate behavior such as theft, fraud, or sexual abuse.

CNAs Shared Cellphone Photo of Resident with Other Staff Members

new jersey philadelphia nursing home neglect lawyers Colonial Hills center
The Colonial Hills Nursing Center in Tennessee has undergone an investigation after two certified nursing assistants took an unauthorized photo on a cell phone of a resident and then forwarded the photo to “an undisclosed number of staff members” and one of the CNA’s teenage daughter. On July 22, the shoulders-up, fully clothed photo was taken after a clean brief fell on the resident’s head. They took the photo because they found the incident “humorous” and “endearing.” The picture was said to be blurry and the resident was not clearly identifiable. Both CNAs were fired and the facility was fined $6,000 from the state and $4,550 a day from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services until the violations are corrected. According to the report, the incident was “a violation of dignity” and the facility failed to protect the resident, enforce policies against employees using cellphones in patient areas and taking photos in the home, and to properly investigate the incident. The state suspended admissions to the nursing home after inspections found more violations. The facility submitted a plan for correcting their problems and the state lifted the suspension.

Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one is currently a resident of a nursing home or care facility, pay attention to the quality of the nursing staff. If you are worried that the care they are receiving is negligent, abusive, or inadequate, contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.