There have been recent reports regarding incidents of nursing home abuse that document that for every elder abuse case that is reported, five instances of elder abuse go unreported. In fact, studies show that elder abuse, and particularly nursing home abuse, has been increasing in recent years, and yet remains largely unreported. There are multiple types of behavior that constitute elder abuse and nursing home neglect, but in general, such abuse and neglect involves the willful infliction of injury on another person. If you feel that you or someone you love has been a victim of elder abuse, contacting a Massachusetts nursing home abuse lawyer is a wise thing to do.
According to The Advocate Messenger, two families have filed lawsuits against Golden LivingCenter, Executive Director Kevin McCowan, corporate counterparts, and several unknown employees for failure to deliver proper and appropriate care, services and supervision. First, Lisa Gilliam filed a wrongful death lawsuit, on behalf of Geneva Hammonds. Hammonds was a patient at Golden LivingCenter and died on April 4, 2015. The lawsuit alleges that while staying at Golden LivingCenter, Hammonds’ health deteriorated and she suffered from skin injuries, infections, dehydration, poor hygiene and sepsis. Moreover, the suit alleges that the nursing home knew their employees were not providing timely custodial care; however, they nevertheless failed to discipline or correct the staff. Allegedly, Hammonds did not receive her prescribed medication and the nursing home facility did not provide Hammonds’ physician or family with updates on her condition.
The second lawsuit was filed on behalf of Charles Johnson, a resident of Golden LivingCenter from April 17, 2015, to July 21, 2015. Johnson suffered from a MRSA infection, poor hygiene, and an abscess in the lower part of his body. His lawsuit alleges that these injuries were a direct result of the wrongful conduct of Golden LivingCenter employees. Both lawsuits are seeking compensatory and punitive damages to cover medical expenses, pain and suffering, disfigurement and hospitalizations. Additionally, Gilliam, on behalf of Hammonds, is seeking damages for funeral expenses, grief suffered by statutory beneficiaries and loss of life. The law firm of Wilkes and McHugh is representing both clients in this case.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a nursing home, call our Boston, MA nursing home abuse lawyer experts today. Our attorney specialists are waiting for your call at 617-787-3700 or email us at info@gilhoylaw.com.
