Nov 03, 2015 | admin
The National Center on Elder Abuse estimates that this year, caregivers will intentionally harm 1-in-10 U.S. citizens age 65 or older. Yet many of these victims will never be hit or even verbally assaulted. The nursing home abuse lawyers at CHASENBOSCOLO Injury Lawyers explain that’s because neglecting patients is one of the most common types of nursing home abuse today.
The case of an 80-year-old patient with dementia who died after wandering away from a picnic in a Upper Marlboro, Maryland, nursing home illustrates the damage that negligent care can cause.
Reports from WUSA 9 News say the victim attended the picnic at Watkins Regional Park in September. Caregivers from the Woodmore House were aware of the patient’s condition and his need for constant supervision, but the staff left the patient alone for ten minutes—enough time for him to walk away and become lost. His body was found in October in a nearby park.
An investigation into the incident found the patient’s caregivers had not only deviated from the care plan, they also failed to immediately report the missing patient to the Maryland Office of Health Care Quality. Investigators found Woodmore House staff contacted the agency regarding the incident three days after it occurred.
The team at ChasenBoscolo Injury Lawyers understand how devastating the loss of a loved one to negligent care can be, and we would like to send our condolences to the family of the victim.
