nursing home abuse Archives

PA Doles Out Big Fines To Nursing Homes

On behalf of Douglas V. Stoehr, Attorney at Law posted in nursing home abuse on Wednesday, August 9, 2017.

In late 2016, The Pennsylvania Department of Health began changing the way they oversee nursing homes. Since that time, records from around the state have reflected that the department has given out fines totaling almost $775,000 so far this year, to nursing homes that are not performing the way that they should be. Many of these fines have resulted from situations which led to the actual harm and/or potential harm to residents. Some people say that fines are increasing due, in part, to fact that the department has resumed taking anonymous tips. These tips have led to more frequent nursing home visits in which homes were found in violation of policies.

Many allegations against nursing homes and assisted living facilities stem from reports of elder abuse and neglect. Elder abuse can come in many forms, not just physical abuse. Many common instances of elder abuse include emotional, financial, psychological, and neglect. If you feel that a loved one has been a victim of elder abuse, please contact Attorney Doug Stoehr to set up a free consultation. Attorney Stoehr has experience and knowledge pertaining to elder abuse legal claims, and will work hard to fight for the rights of your family or friend. Call his office at 814-946-4100 to set up your consultation.

Thanks to Lancaster Online for the background information for this article.

Accredited Nursing Homes Have Higher Safety Culture

On behalf of Douglas V. Stoehr, Attorney at Law posted in Injuries on Thursday, July 27, 2017.

This may be an older post from our website, but is definitely worth another look! As you may know, not all nursing homes are all created equal. In addition to having private or government-run facilities, nursing homes can either be accredited or not. Sometimes the differences between the different types of facilities are not immediately clear, but you should research all possible options before making a decision.

About 1 in 10 Seniors in US Are Abused

On behalf of Douglas V. Stoehr, Attorney at Law posted in elder abuse on Friday, July 14, 2017.

Information reported by a Georgia news source as referenced by the World Heath Organization, states that about 10% of America's elderly population is abused or neglected. Additionally, the researchers noted that this is likely an underestimation. Elderly citizens are being abused both in home care situations and while being cared for in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Banks Are Training Employees To Spot Elder Abuse

On behalf of Douglas V. Stoehr, Attorney at Law posted in elder abuse on Thursday, May 18, 2017.

Banks across the country are training their employees on red flags in bank account activity that would suggest exploitation of an elderly person's finances. Some of the red flags include a change in the method of bank activity and a new signature on cards and deposit slips. Sometimes, this training is implemented as a part of Elder Abuse Awareness Month. We hope that all banks in our state will follow suit and provide training for its employees to protect against financial elder abuse!

Take a Deeper Look Into Nursing Homes

On behalf of Douglas V. Stoehr, Attorney at Law posted in Injuries on Friday, April 14, 2017.

Nursing homes are a pretty ubiquitous feature of most cities and populated areas. Although many people know generally what nursing homes are like and what features they have, some do not know the many varieties within these facilities. All nursing homes are not created equal and there is a wide variance in layout, amenities, features, and programs.

You Could Be Responsible For Your Parent's Unpaid Nursing Home Bills

On behalf of Douglas V. Stoehr, Attorney at Law posted in nursing home abuse on Tuesday, March 28, 2017.

Did you know that you could potentially be responsible for your parent's unpaid nursing home and assisted living bills? This may be a scary thought, but in many states with filial support laws, many families are faced with this problem.

Nursing Home High-Risk Times

On behalf of Douglas V. Stoehr, Attorney at Law posted in nursing home abuse on Thursday, March 16, 2017.

When an elderly person is admitted to a nursing home, there are several periods of time that are higher-risk for injury than other periods. This phenomenon has been studied and documented by numerous researchers. One study by Doupe et. al. (2011) titled "Nursing Home Adverse Events: Further Insight to Highest Risk Periods" talked about some of these situations. For example, some of the highest-risk periods including the following times and situations:-New residents account for a disproportionately high percentage of nonhip fractures and bedsores
-Hospitalized falls, hip fractures, and respiratory infections are most common immediately before resident death
-Skin ulcers are most likely for new nursing home residents coming from a hospital; this is independent of mobility All in all, transition periods, either just being admitted to a nursing home or in the late stages of life immediately preceding death, are the high-risk periods for nursing home residents. New nursing home residents transferred from hospitals pose an even higher risk for some conditions. Applying this knowledge, if someone you know has been recently admitted into a nursing home, the first three months are critical to monitor for any changing conditions or health issues. If you feel that your loved one needs more care than they are currently being given by the nursing home staff, you may need to discuss changes in your relative's individualized care plan.

Tort Reform in Nursing Home Negligence Cases

On behalf of Douglas V. Stoehr, Attorney at Law posted in Injuries on Wednesday, February 15, 2017.

In the past few years, there has been some backlash against personal injury attorneys and their lawsuits against nursing homes and hospitals. One such article, written in a large healthcare magazine, even went so far as to suggest that some attorneys use understaffing of workers as an excuse to create lawsuits for cases that would not otherwise be valid. These same writers are arguing for tort reform, which would also put a cap on awards for injury or negligence. They argue that, if there was a cap on awards in the state of Pennsylvania, there would be fewer legal claims and nursing homes may be able to use more workers. They also noted that arbitration decreases the projected expense and awards of cases.

Nursing Home Wrongful Death Suit in PA

On behalf of Douglas V. Stoehr, Attorney at Law posted in Injuries on Wednesday, February 8, 2017.

Recently, a Philadelphia-area nursing home is under fire for supposedly contributing to a wrongful death case. The death, which is thought to be due negligence on the part of the nursing home staff, came after a series of illnesses which affected an elderly woman in the home's case. The wrongful death lawsuit claims that the resident needed 24 hour care, due to a history of trouble walking, dementia, and other issues. However, she was still was often found on her floor in her bedroom of the nursing home unattended, and it was clear that she had fallen. Eventually, the resident had a fall that was so severe that she had to go to the emergency room. Upon returning to the nursing home, she was placed in hospice care and passed away about two months after her accident.

CARIE Works For The Rights Of The Elderly

On behalf of Douglas V. Stoehr, Attorney at Law posted in Injuries on Friday, February 3, 2017.

This post is a version of a story we originally brought to your attention several years ago, but is, unfortunately, still very relevant today. Please read this article to learn more about advocating for the rights of our state's senior population!