It is a sad reality, but far too often, nursing homes are places of abuse and neglect. These facilities are entrusted with the comfort and care of our loved ones who require constant attention and cannot care for themselves. Unfortunately, this also makes them vulnerable. Nursing home employees sometimes take advantage of that vulnerability and systematically and repeatedly abuse their patients. Abused nursing home patients have been physically and mentally harmed, robbed and humiliated; some have even died due to the actions of the facilities’ staff. When that happens, it is essential that a family member files a personal injury lawsuit against the attacker and their employer to hold the negligent parties responsible.
That is the situation Lyda Freeman finds herself in after it was revealed that her disabled sister was being repeatedly abused. Freeman’s sister suffers from dementia and is unable to even get out of her bed without assistance. To make sure her sister was comfortable, fed and safe, Freeman checked her into the Cashmere Convalescent Center in Cashmere, Washington. Tragically, it was revealed that one of the male patients had repeatedly sexually assaulted Freeman’s sister while she was a resident, and the Cashmere Convalescent Center’s staff did nothing. Freeman filed a complaint with the Washington Department of Health, which concluded that the facility’s staff should have been more proactive in not only reporting and stopping the abuse, but in preventing it from occurring in the first place. According to komonews.com, the investigation concluded with an order by the Nursing Home Administrator’s Board forcing Cashmere Convalescent Center’s operator Bill Dronen to surrender his license. This not only prevents him from operating his current facility, but from ever opening or managing a nursing home in the future.
While this will help prevent another patient from being abused, it does little to compensate Freeman or her sister. Often, the only way to recover from a tragedy such as this is through a successful personal injury lawsuit. Have you or a family member been a victim of nursing home abuse? If so, you may be entitled to substantial compensation for your physical injuries, as well as any emotional trauma and financial hardship caused by the incident. Call our Massachusetts nursing home abuse attorney specialists 24/7 at 617-787-3700, or email us at info@gilhoylaw.com for your free and confidential consultation.
