Pennsylvania Personal Injury Blog

The decision to place a loved one in a nursing home is an important one and should be taken very seriously. While many nursing home facilities provide excellent care to their residents, there are facilities that consistently generate poor reviews, violate safety standards and provide sub-par care to the elderly. Recognizing the common signs of elderly abuse in Pennsylvania can help ensure that your loved one is safe and being treated well.

There are a number of signs that may indicate nursing home abuse; however, some Pennsylvania nursing home abuse signs may not be as obvious. Physical symptoms of abuse include bedsores, unexplained bruises or lacerations, broken bones, restraint marks on the wrists and a caregiver’s hesitation to allow a family member to visit the resident alone.

Signs of emotional abuse may be in the form of witnessing a caregiver yell at, humiliate, or belittle your loved one. Additionally, signs that could be mistaken for dementia, such as rocking, sucking or mumbling, may really be signs of emotional distress and should be evaluated promptly. Let the director of the facility know of your concern.

Other forms of Pennsylvania nursing home abuse and neglect can also be financial. For example, sudden changes to wills and testaments or unpaid medical bills when your loved one has the funds to pay for them may be signs of abuse as well. Watch out for unusual medication doses, duplicate billing or inadequate care when the bill has been paid in full. Any of these signs may be cause for concern and should be further investigated.

If you suspect that your loved one is being neglected or abused in a Pennsylvania nursing home, contact the skilled and qualified Philadelphia nursing home abuse attorneys at Cherry, Fieger & Marciano, LLP. The elderly are a vulnerable part of our society and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. With years of experience handling nursing home abuse cases, our lawyers have the resources necessary to ensure that your loved one is compensated fairly for their injuries and that all negligent and abusive parties are held responsible for their actions. Call Cherry, Fieger & Marciano, LLP at (888) 684-7192 today to learn more about how we can help you.

The US government is attempting to prepare for an onslaught of aging baby boomers by passing a new long term care program that assists individuals with severe disabilities. Nytimes.com reports that more and more Americans are going to be earning the title of “Older Americans” as the significant number of baby boomers age. Congress wants to help by establishing a program in the National Health Care Bill that will assist older Americans with long-term care including assisted living care and nursing home care. The late Senator Edward Kennedy had drafted the program several years ago. Then-Senator Obama was a cosponsor. Vigorous debate regarding this huge new federal insurance program has been taking place on the senate floor.

A 45-year-old independent woman from Arlington Virginia who has cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis and works as a consultant stated that she has been able to live a normal life, but worries that if her conditions worsen she may be in serious need of long term care.

Advocates of the program claim it will help many aging Americans who may become severely disabled and require nursing home or assisted living care. Critics contend the program and say it will lead to grave financial troubles. As a large segment of society continues to age and the question over their long term care continues to play out on Capitol Hill, it is important to address the inherent dangers that can exist for those that choose nursing home care for their loved ones.

Continue reading "Baby Boomers Could Benefit From Long Term Care Program" »

A nursing home in Oakmont has been punished by the state and given a provisional license after an 89-year-old woman committed suicide by jumping out her third-story window, reports the post-gazette website. Her son is left full of anguish as to what exactly happened to his mother who had been admitted to the facility in July with heart problems, glaucoma, dementia, and depression. State officials downgraded the Presbyterian Senior Care nursing home known as the Willows nursing home to a provisional license until March 28th because they failed to do enough to stop the death of the 89-year-old woman.

State Inspectors reported finding notes in the facility’s records that stated the woman had “attempted to exit the facility via the stairs in a wheelchair and had expressed a desire to jump out the window.” Where the nursing home failed is that the staff did not inform a physician responsible for her care and did not “develop measures to protect the resident and to prevent injuries”. A urinary tract infection is all that was reported but not her suicidal urges.

A spokeswoman for the nursing home said, “We believe the report has omitted several key facts ... looks like we went from Sept. 19 to Sept. 24 without any type of intervention and that is not accurate.” In addition, she stated that all the windows are now locked down and the staff has been retrained to inform physicians of any major behavior or mood changes in the patients.

Continue reading "PA Nursing Home Cited for Insufficient Safeguards " »

Mary Ann Bower, a former nurse in a Pittsburgh-area nursing home was convicted of abusing a 94-year-old patient with Alzheimer’s disease. She will have to pay a fine of $300 and she may lose her nursing certificate in this personal injury lawsuit.

According to an article from Wfmj.com, Bower was convicted after employees at the Kane Regional Center in Glen Hazel, Pa said that she flicked water in the face of Thelma Bryant. The article also said that Bower was a night supervisor at the facility and that she did not stop any abuse or reprimand the other nurses who were also involved.

The other nurses are facing more serious charges for allegedly hitting the patient in this personal injury lawsuit.

The most common forms of nursing home abuse in Pennsylvania are physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. When a nursing home professional takes advantage of their power to withhold care from an individual, extort money or property from them, or abuse their bodies, an intolerable and cruel situation can arise.

Continue reading "Pittsburgh Nursing Home Abuse of Alzheimers Patient Results in Conviction of Nurse" »

State closes Willow Grove personal-care home after 2 deaths

The state closed Willow Crest Manor, a personal-care home in Willow Grove PA, after two residents died there. According to this article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, it was understaffed, and medication was dispensed by unlicensed employees. The owner is now fighting to get his license back.

The state agency found that medicines given to residents weren't recorded, so there was no way to know whether they were receiving the right amount. Some patients received recalled prescription medications, while others got pills without doctor’s orders, according to the Department of Public Welfare.

The owner, Anand P. Mittal, was also accused of choking a Parkinson's patient. He was charged with assault, harassment and disorderly conduct and the case is pending trial. Mitall also has other facilities that the DPW is cracking down on.

Forty-eight residents were moved out of Willow Crest Manor after the deaths. Many of them had mental-health problems.

Continue reading "Neglect and Abuse at Assisted Living/Personal Care Facility " »