Elder Abuse Lawyers: Woman Found in her Own Waste Fused to Chair

Caring for an elderly parent is an incredibly difficult task. As elder abuse lawyers, we see far too many cases of abuse and neglect that involve an adult child disregarding the needs of their vulnerable parent. If your mother or father is being cared for by another sibling, it is very important to check up on them just as you would if the parent was in a nursing home or under the care of another aide.

Son Neglects Mother While Telling His Sister She is Fine

elder abuse lawyers in NJ and PA At the end of October the police went to the son of 74-year-old Carol Brown’s home to find her unresponsive and living in deplorable conditions. The paramedics rushed Brown to the hospital but she died several days later. According to the officers who entered the home, they described Brown as a rotting corpse that was still breathing.” The rescue crews had to pry her from the leather recliner because her legs had become fused to the chair. Court documents also revealed that she was sitting in her own bodily fluids and waste with a swollen ankle wound with maggots inside. According to Brown’s daughter Laura Sanders, the doctors told her “There were sores on her back the size of a man’s fist.”

Sanders told officials that her brother, James Owens, had been caring for their mother for the past two years. “I know he neglected her,” Sanders said. “He had not fed her in a week. He left her in her own waste. How can you do that to your mother?” She said that she did not check on her mother because her brother always insisted that she was fine. She continued by saying “Knowing that she died and it may have been prevented? … I’m so far passed crying. I am just real mad! I’m beyond mad!” Owens has not yet been charged. The police are waiting for the autopsy results before getting prosecutors involved.

Elder Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one is currently under the care of an individual or care facility and you have witnessed them being abused, you have noticed strange bruises, scratches or sores, or you fear that the care they are receiving may be considered negligent or abusive, our professional elder abuse lawyers can address your 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 Warn of Medication Theft

The elderly often have a long list of medications that they need to maintain good health and live comfortably. They also depend on the staff of their nursing home to distribute and monitor their medications properly. As nursing home abuse lawyers, we know that most elder abuse and neglect is most of the time an abuse of power. We have seen many cases where caretakers or nursing home staff takes advantage of their access to medications and medical supplies for their own benefit or drug habit. Stealing medications that were intended for the elderly or disabled is both a criminal act and neglect of the patients who need those medications. These caretakers are abusing their position for their own gain, which cannot be tolerated.

Care Worker Steals and Uses Pain Medication While on Duty

new jersey philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyers warning medication theftPeggy Ballinger, a 55-year-old former care provider at the Alois Alzheimer Center, is facing charges after being accused of stealing pain medications from her Alzheimer’s patients. She is being charged with two counts of theft, two counts of deception to obtain a dangerous drug and two counts of illegal processing of drug documents. She falsified the facility’s drug logs, used a preprinted blank prescription, and stole Percocet and Vicodin. Ballinger is even being accused by a co-worker of consuming the drugs and being high while on duty at the care facility. She was arrested late on Monday, November 21 and is scheduled for an arraignment this week.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one is being taken advantage of, not given the medications they need, or you believe the care they are receiving is abusive or negligent, you should 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, and (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers: New Owners Try to Fix Up Facility

The Central Coast Nursing Center, a Santa Barbara, California area nursing home, faces hard times after state officials have discovered an array of health and safety violations. Additionally, two former employees have been arrested on sexual battery and elder abuse charges. The facility has recently changed owners in an effort to fix old problems and rebuild their reputation as a quality facility. As nursing home abuse lawyers, we see facilities change ownership frequently. Sometimes, this causes crucial elements of care to slip through the cracks, allowing residents to suffer. But, as is often the case, change can also be for the best, and new owners committed to fixing the problems in a negligent nursing home is definitely for the best of the residents and their families.

Former CNAs Arrested for Sexual and Physical Abuse

nursing home abuse lawyers in NJ and PA Brian Watt, a 29-year-old sex offender and former certified nursing assistant at the facility, was arrested on September 9. He was charged with felony lewd act upon a dependent adult, felony sexual battery on an institutionalized victim, and misdemeanor dependent adult abuse for an incident that occurred on September 4, 2010. If he is convicted on all of these counts, he may face up to six years in jail. The other former employee of Central Coast facing charges is 32 year-old Hugo Rendon, who was arrested on October 6 and charged with four misdemeanor counts of battering an elder for two separate incidents that occurred on May 13 and May 17, 2011.

Compass Health, Inc. took over control of Central Coast Nursing Center on September 1, 2011. The new parent company operates six other nursing homes and has a very good record. Their challenge now is to clean up the facility’s problems and establish a new reputation through high quality service. Compass Health’s Chief Operating Officer Darren Smith explained that the problem with the old owner was that they were “not consistent” and there was “little experience or understanding” among the officials. “We want to create an atmosphere of respect and appreciation for the business that’s being operated here,” said Smith.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you have witnessed any questionable conditions or abusive behavior in a nursing home, directed towards your loved one or even another resident, 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.

Elder Abuse Lawyers: Woman Dies After Not Seeing Doctor For Years

Visiting the doctor for regular check ups is important for everyone. For the elderly, it is vital to maintain their already vulnerable state of health. As elder abuse lawyers, we see many sad cases where the elderly were neglected and not given the proper medical attention leading to bedsores, infection, and often death. It is a caregiver’s responsibility to look after those under their care. Even if an elderly person is difficult, does not like doctors, or insists on skipping check ups, caregivers must get their subjects the necessary medical attention.

Son Goes to Trial After Mother Found Dead in Filthy House

elder abuse lawyers in NJ and PA Richard Lee Wallace, 57, is standing trial this month for charges of elder abuse and neglect of an incapacitated adult resulting in death. Paramedics found his 86-year-old mother, Elise Wallace, dead in the home they shared on April 18. They found her body on the couch of the messy home covered in maggot-filled bedsores, gangrene, and surrounded by hundreds of flies. The paramedics testified that she had been dead no more than an hour when they arrived. The cause of death was determined to be a bacterial infection in the blood caused by gangrene.

Richard had lived with his mother, who had Alzheimer’s disease, for most of his adult life. He assumed control of her finances in 2008 after he became aware that she “could be easily talked into things.” He was her primary caregiver but failed to get her any medical attention for years, even as her health deteriorated. His defense attorneys claimed that he was following her wishes because she hated doctors and hospitals. He told investigators that he put antibiotic cream on her bedsores but had not realized just how advanced the sores had become until the day she died. She has been unable to walk since November 2010 and spent a majority of her final months on the ratty couch in her home. She stopped speaking a week before she died but Richard still did not bring her to see a doctor. According to prosecutors, he only called for an ambulance because he was not able to move her body after she died.

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 professional elder abuse lawyers. 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 Neglect Lawyers: Fall is Fatal Due to Untreated Injuries

Nursing homes have the challenging responsibility of caring for a group of people that often have physical and mental disabilities. The elderly require an immense amount of caution and there are so many things that can go wrong that the facility and their staff need to be on top of everything. As nursing home neglect lawyers, we know that one of the most common causes for injuries in nursing homes is falls, but they can also be easily prevented.

Facility Does Not Follow High Fall Risk Care Plan

nursing home neglect lawyers in NJ and PA According to a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Diane Hallman, her mother’s death was the result of neglect by the Regent Care Center where the elderly woman was living. Rachel Mohr, 78, was found on March 4 yelling for help on the floor next to her bed. The lawsuit says that Mohr was put back in bed after she suffered head trauma and bleeding. “She was neurologically alert, coherent and in severe pain. She was placed back in bed and was later discovered nonresponsive,” the lawsuit claims. She was taken to the hospital where she died from the severe and fatal neurological injuries she suffered during the fall.

Hallman is claiming that the facility was negligent because they knew that Mohr was a high fall risk and did not follow the care plan according to a physician’s orders. Her bed was not in a low position, there were no floor mats next to her bed, she did not have a bed alarm, and the nurses were not given details of her care plan.

Mohr’s relatives have tried ten times to get copies of her medical chart from the nursing home, but the facility will not provide them with a copy. The lawsuit says, “Defendants refused to produce the chart on the basis that its lawyer had the chart and further refused to provide the lawyer’s identity and contact information.”

Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one is a high risk for falls and their nursing home is not making the proper precautions, you have witnessed them 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.

Elder Abuse Lawyers: Product Increases Safety for Dementia Patients

As elder abuse lawyers, we know having a parent or loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia has a long list of day-to-day challenges. For those who have a parent that has tendencies to wander from the home there is also an added element of constant fear. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, there are nearly 6 million people with Alzheimer’s in this country and studies have shown that 60 percent of those who suffer from the disease will wander off and become lost. Sadly, about half of those who do get lost and are not found within 24 hours might die. Dr. Andrew Carle, director of the senior housing administration at George Mason University’s College of Health and Human Services said, “They might be living in their home but they’re confused… They go for a walk and they can get lost for days.” The problem with Alzheimer’s suffers wandering off is “they don’t think they’re lost. They may actually hide. Paranoia is a manifestation of the disease. So search and rescue is hard to do,” says Carle.

GPS Shoe Will Alert Family of Wondering Alzheimer’s Sufferers

elder abuse lawyers in NJ and PA Carle has served as an advisor on a project by the GTX Corporation to develop location-tracking shoes with a GPS in the heel. They were developing the shoe for marathon runners and children when Carle “pointed out why this was an ideal technology for people with dementia who wander.” There has been GPS pocket devices, wristbands, and bracelets and pendants with names and contact numbers on the market but these were easily lost or removed. The wearer is much less likely to remove their shoes. The shoe’s technology will allow a family member to set a perimeter such as the house and yard that the wearer can move around freely, “But if he breaks the fence, Google maps pops up on my computer or my phone to show me where he is,” Carle explained. When it comes out on the market, the shoe is going to cost about $300 with a $30 to $40 monthly subscription fee.

Elder 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 and would like to speak to one of our elder abuse lawyers, 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.

Elder Abuse Lawyers Warn of Financial Theft

Financial elder abuseis unfortunately on the rise, happening more and more often to our aging population as the demographic gains a reputation for being an easy target for scams and/or theft. Therefore, the elderly need to be more careful about their finances and who they trust in their homes. As elder abuse lawyers, we sadly hear horrible stories about trusting people who get taken for their entire life savings because of one mistake. Make sure to keep all of your financial documents and checks in a secure, preferably locked, location where strangers or even family or friends cannot locate. Be careful of home health aides and housekeepers. Even those with good intentions may take advantage if given the opportunity.

Woman Arrested Twice for Stealing and Cashing Checks

elder abuse lawyers in NJ and PA Edna Lena Morales, 48, was arrested for the second time on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 for suspicion of elder abuse, forgery and possession of stolen property. She was arrested for the first time on October 17, 2011 after an investigation of her cashing several checks that belonged to an 83-year-old woman. The woman’s bank contacted her in September about the checks and she told them that Morales worked as her housekeeper, cleaning and cooking meals a few times a week. The elderly woman confronted Morales and she agreed to pay the money back. She wrote a check for $4,000 but the check bounced. Police also believe that Morales used the woman’s credit card charging more than $1,200, but Morales told them that the woman gave her permission to use the credit card.

A week later, a second woman went to the police to report that Morales cashed one of her checks for the amount of $5,000 leading to her second arrest. She is currently being held at the Merced County Jail on $130,000 bail.

Elder Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one is currently being taken advantage of financially, 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 , our professional elder abuse lawyers can help you. 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 Neglect Lawyers Warn of Facility Cleanliness

Nursing homes and long term care facilities are responsible for the daily medical, physical, and emotional needs of their elderly and disabled residents. As nursing home neglect lawyers we see all forms of neglect, including the failure to administer medications, failure to keep patients clean and hygienic, and ignorance of obvious red flags. Nursing homes are also required to keep their facilities clean and up to code. When these requirements are not met, facilities are guilty of nursing home abuse and neglect.

Bedbugs Found in Ohio Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center

new jersey philadelphia nursing home neglect lawyers warn facility cleanliness According to NBC4 in Ohio, two current employees of the Circleville Care and Rehabilitation Center called the news station to anonymously report a bedbug infestation in the facility. They also claimed that the management failed to inform any patient families of the infestation and threatened to terminate anyone who went to the media. The director of the Pickaway County Health Department did confirm that the nursing home had a bedbug problem, but since the bugs did not carry any diseases there was nothing they could do.

In a statement from Circleville Care and Rehabilitation Center’s parent company Sunbridge Healthcare, Regional Vice President Angela McCoy said:

“Our nursing center maintains specific policies and procedures when addressing the center’s environment. When the center became aware of this situation they immediately contacted a pest control company with the expertise to assist us and who has been on site daily to appropriately treat resident rooms. The process can take 48 hours to sanitize several rooms and we are following the recommendation and instruction of the pest control company as to any additional actions that might be taken.

Our first priority is to ensure that the delivery of care to our residents and patients is not disrupted throughout this process. Our medical director, medical staff, staff and families have been informed of the situation and we appreciate the support they have shown. I also have informed the state department of health who are aware and supportive of our process. I want to assure our families and our community that our caring team is committed to providing a safe environment for our residents and I encourage any family members of our residents to contact me with any questions or concerns.”

Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you have witnessed any unsanitary conditions, physical or mental abuse of your loved one, or negligent care within a nursing home, our professional nursing home neglect lawyers can address your 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 Disgusted by Maggot Infestations

A state advocacy group in Michigan is calling for increased oversight of state nursing homes, citing as their motive the growing instances of extreme nursing home abuse. One specific case mentioned a nursing home in Washtenaw County, Michigan where maggots infested one patient’s throat and another patient’s catheter. Clinical corporate staff members instructed the nurse who came upon the catheter infestation to document it as “debridement.” Debridement is a name for dead tissue, not maggots. The second maggot incident took place in an Oakland County care facility. Maggots obstructed the airway of a woman had been coughing. The maggots were discovered when the airway was being cleared.

Maggots Sign of Severe Neglect State Wide?

new jersey philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyers maggot infestationsThe group, a non-profit Michigan Protections and Advocacy Service, cited the maggot infestation cases as evidence of a severe problem concerning treatment in the state’s care facilities. Of course, a representative of the state agency that regulates nursing homes insisted to a Michigan radio DJ that these maggot infestations were isolated incidents and that they, in no way, reflect the treatment that the state’s care facilities provide. Mike Pemble of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs said, “I don’t think it’s fair to hold it up and say this is happening in all nursing homes.”

Rhonda Smith, communications specialist with the Michigan Protections and Advocacy Service, did not provided the name of the nursing home involved. A Michigan television station is reporting that the Whitehall Healthcare Center of Ann Arbor was the culprit.

The MPAS reported that the information regarding these horrid incidents of neglect was gathered from surveys performed by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. They are also preparing a report they they claim will highlight “numerous examples of abuse and neglect of individuals with disabilities in nursing homes throughout the state.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one is a resident at a nursing home or long term care facility and you believe that the care they are receiving is negligent or inadequate, contact our professionals for a free case evaluation or consultation. Contact the Mininno Law Office by phone at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers: CNA Imprisoned for Patient Abuse

Nursing home abuse lawyers try their best to advocate for the elderly victims of abuse and neglect, the victims who often can no longer defend themselves against these predators.

Amanda Tibble, 36, who used to work as a certified nursing assistant at the John M. Reed Nursing Home in Limestone, Tennessee has been sentenced to 15 months in jail. Tibble was fired from the home when allegations of physical, emotional, and verbal abuse from January 2010 surfaced. She has since plead guilty to four counts of willful abuse or neglect and admitted to mentally abusing two patients. She has also been accused of twisting a male patient’s hand and bending back the hand of another patient. Tibble admitted to having an anger management problem and recently said “I do apologize for my actions and I do, you know, hate that it caused the mental anguish on her that it did.”

Judge and Victim’s Family Do Not Believe Apology

The family of Anza Hall, one of Tibble’s victims, said “We’ve waited well over a year and a half to get justice served.” The 90-year-old paralyzed stroke victim would tell her family “Don’t make them mad, don’t make them mad. They’ll be mean, they’ll be mean.” Because of the non-believable testimony from Tibble and the testimony of Hall’s daughter and granddaughter, Marcella Hall and Carla Anderson, Judge Robert Cupp gave Tibble the maximum sentence. Hall and Anderson said they didn’t believe Tibble felt any remorse for the incidents.

Nursing Home Abuse 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.