Recently The Buffalo News reported that the resident of a Buffalo, New York nursing home was accused of beating his roommate. The 87-year-old accused believed his roommate at the Kenwell-DePaul Senior Living Community was stealing from him. As revenge, the man repeatedly struck his roommate with a 2 1/2 pound magnet as he helplessly lay in bed.
Our nursing home negligence lawyers at Pintas & Mullins would like to point out that the unfortunate incident was entirely avoidable if the nursing home staff provided more attentive care.
Following the incident, the accused picked up his walker and made his way down the hallway to ask the attendant to get help. He told the aid that his roommate would require medical attention.
The man was arrested for the assault and charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and first-degree assault. At the time of publication of the article, the accused was ordered to undergo a psychiatric assessment and was still in the custody of a maximum security, pre-trial holding facility in New York in lieu of $10,000 bail. Meanwhile, the victim lay fighting for his life in a Buffalo hospital.
A local detective said that if the victim were to die, the charges against the accused may change. He also said that the magnet was tied to a string with which he repeatedly beat the victim in his bed, and that there was no record of any previous issues.
Police said that the blows hit the victim on his face, head, wrist and chest. The victim also had a broken rib which pierced one of his lungs.
It is unclear what, if anything, was stolen from the accused. Investigators were unable to interview the victim owing to the seriousness of his injuries.
Officials were shocked to know that an 87-year-old man was responsible for the victim’s injuries. The assailant was reportedly in debilitating physical condition, unable to walk without assistance.
The Kenwell-DePaul Community Living Center refused to say anything in response to the case, citing federal health privacy directives. However, in a private statement they revealed that they co-operated completely with the authorities to ensure a positive resolution. They also affirm that their facility is licensed as an adult-care home and adheres to all regulations relating to admission as controlled by the New York State Department of Health.
In another possible instance of nursing home negligence, WYFF4.com reported that a gas leak at a South Carolina nursing home forced residents out of their rooms in the night.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 842-6336
A South Carolina fire department responded to reports of gas presence at Majesty Health and Rehab. 36 residents were moved to another part of the building in the middle of the night. According to the fire chief, firefighters discovered hazardous leaks in the kitchen, at which point the gas was shut off and the area ventilated.
A private contractor was hired to test all the lines and conduct the necessary repairs.
Majesty Health was recently in the news when the Department of Health and Environmental Control reported the facility’s care “substandard” in connection with the death of an 84-year-old resident, Eloise Arnold.
A coroner stated that Arnold died as a result of over-medication with an antidepressant and overheating (the air conditioning was broken when the victim was found unresponsive). The woman also had other significant contributing factors such as high blood pressure and heart disease. Cases such as this illuminate the devastating effects nursing home negligence and abuse. In hopes of obtaining justice for their loved one, Arnold’s family is currently pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit against Majesty Health and Rehab.
In related news, a faulty dryer was found to be responsible for starting a fire that led to the evacuation of over two dozen nursing home residents of the Home of the Good Shepard in Malta, New York.
Fire officials reported that the early morning fire began in the laundry room of the nursing home and spread to the enhanced care wing. Fortunately, all the residents were safely removed.
Click to contact our lawyers today
According to our nursing home abuse lawyer in Arkansas, you should initiate an investigation and seek legal counsel if you suspect nursing home theft, financial abuse, or gross negligence (such as signs of poor hygiene). You might seek compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, property theft or damages, income loss, and more. Once your attorney gathers enough evidence to grant a claim or a lawsuit, they will begin building a case for you and seek justice for your loved one.
If your elderly loved one suffered negligence at a nursing home in the US, get in touch with a nursing home abuse attorney to file a lawsuit for compensation. Our senior rights attorneys have decades of experience and offer free, no-risk consultations.
Call or text (800) 842-6336 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
