Fort Myers Personal Injury Lawyer - Nursing Home

Long Term Pain In Personal Injury Cases

Joseph Bernardo — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 16:04:33 GMT

Trauma patients in America's hospitals are not necessarily "all better" just because they are released from the hospital. A large number of those hurt in accidents and falls and are treated at hospitals are not pain free upon their release.

62.7% of patients in hospital admissions from trauma had pain 12 months llater. The pain was characterized as moderately severe. More than half of these patients had 3 painful areas or more.

The above findings come from a study of over 3,000 patients in 69 hopitals in 14 states in the U.S. (published in the Arch Surg. 2008;143(3):282-287.)

Pain is a factor in recovery from an injury. It is also an important component of a claim for damages in a personal injury case.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joseph Bernardo

CNA Accused of Abusing Florida Nursing Home Resident

Chrissie Cole — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 16:58:10 GMT

A certified nursing home assistant has been taken into custody on allegations that she abused a nursing home resident at a Pensacola nursing home. She is accused of causing injuries to the face and neck of an Alzheimer's patient.

The arrest was carried out in Louisiana by the Houma Police Department, acting on behalf of the Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. "This victim was suffering from Alzheimer's disease and clearly relied on support from his caretakers," said Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum. "Our senior citizens deserve a high standard of care and respect and we will continue to enforce those standards."

Witnesses say the incident occurred in the shower room of the facility. The man was holding onto a piece of equipment in the shower and began to resist her efforts to remove him. To break his grasp, she struck him.

Gamble has waived extradition and the Escambia County Sheriff's Office will be transporting her to the Escambia County Jail. She will be charged with one felony count of elder abuse. If convicted, she faces up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Nursing Home Janitor Charged with Abuse

Christina Cole — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 18:22:21 GMT

A former nursing home employee in Palm Beach County is being charged with striking a disabled nursing home resident.

He was arrested after a completed investigation by the Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Units Patient Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation (PANE) team. The investigation show's he was employed as a janitor at the Nursing Center.

The investigation alleges, he struck a 48-year-old mentally disabled adult with a metal handled mop. A nurse also employed by the facility witnessed the incident and Williams was fired as a result.

If convicted of his charges, Williams faces up to 20 years in prison and a $15,000 fine. He is being charged with one count of aggravated battery (a second-degree felony) and one count of abuse of a disabled adult (a third-degree felony). The case is set to be prosecuted by the Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office.

The PANE Project plays a key role in detecting abuse and neglect of elderly and disabled patients, helping to ensure that efficient and effective health care is being provided. The Attorney General's Office has PANE teams in Miami, Tallahassee, Tampa and West Palm Beach.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Christina Cole

2 Nurses Arrested on Numerous Nursing Home Neglect Charges

Christina Cole — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 01:55:39 GMT

According to the Florida Attorney General, two nurses from Suwannee County nursing home have been arrested on several counts of nursing home abuse and neglect. An investigation showed they withheld medication from nursing home patients.

The attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit began its investigation against the two nurses last October after they had received an abuse report from the Department of Children and Families.

Management staff at the nursing home conducted several counts of the medications listed on the nurses' medication carts before and after their shifts. The counts revealed that more than 70 doses of medication were unaccounted for, including medication for pain, depression and high-blood pressure, amongst others.

Fralick was charged with 16 counts of neglect of elderly persons, a third-degree felony. If convicted on all counts, she faces up to 80 years in prison and a fine of $80,000. Bowen is charged with 10 counts of the same charge and faces up to 50 years in prison and a fine of $50,000 if convicted.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Christina Cole

Jury Selection Begins in Nursing Home Death

Christina Cole — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 23:30:33 GMT

Martha Bell, the former manager of a Robinson nursing home is being accused of covering up an 88-year-old Alzheimer patient's death. Bell said little as she sat doodling notes while attorneys were interviewing potential jurors.

Bell is being charged in connection with the death of Mabel Taylor, a resident of (now-closed) Ronald Reagan Atrium/Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center. Bell is being charged with manslaughter and nursing home neglect.

In October, Bell was sentenced to five years in prison after a federal jury convicted her on one count of health care fraud and eight counts of making false statements on health care matters. Medical records were doctored to allow for Medicare and Medicaid payments on treatments not rendered.

Four jurors were selected after a full day of questioning in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court. Selection resumes today.

In October 2001, Taylor allegedly wandered undetected into the courtyard of the Atrium and found hours later. It was in the 40s that night and the coroner's office ruled the exposure was a probable factor in Taylor's death from cardiac arrest.

Bell is accused of ordering employees to carry Taylor's body back into the nursing home and place her in bed, under the covers. Taylor's family was originally told she died in her sleep, authorities said.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Christina Cole