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Turmoil at the Golden Star Adult Family Home

Michael Myers — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 15:35:56 GMT

Adult family homes, nursing homes and similar facilities care for some of our most important family members and friends. We have a shared responsiblity to make sure they treat our loved-ones with the care and respect they deserve. Against this backdrop, troubling news out of Everett about a species of abuse:

The license of a Marysvillle adult family home has been revoked by the state, alleging that the home failed to provide necessary care to its patients.
In addition, state documents say, Juliet Stevens, the owner of Golden Star Adult Family Home at 5408 76th St. NE, made false statements to state inspectors.

If you have any suspicion of mistreatment it's important that you report it right away. And if there are injuries, you should consult with a personal injury attorney.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Michael Myers

Make Sure Your Child Attends a Licensed Day Care

Michael Myers — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 12:39:05 GMT

We've written before about abuse in nursing homes and other facilities for our parents and grandparents. But abuse can affect our children and grandchildren too.

In Washington, persons caring for (1) children to whom they are nott related for (2) a fee must be licensed. Unfortunately unlicensed day-care facilities are operating across the State.

If a day-care is unlicensed there are no stated inspections and absolutely zero oversight. You don't know what you're getting and even more importantly, you don't know what kind of care your children are going to receive.

It's vital to make sure the day-care facility is licensed and has adequate insurance coverage in case an accident happens.

This really brings to the forefront how risky it is to use an unlicensed care facility; the rules are there for a reason," he said. "Do your research, that's the message."

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Michael Myers

Hundreds Of Elder Abuse Cases Missed Each Year

Michael Myers — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 11:55:18 GMT

We see and hear about horrific abuse targeting the elderly, ranging from scams to neglect. One local case came to light in 2005, and it was a stomach turning investigation. A 75-year old Kirkland woman died after living in filthy conditions. Her daughter was convicted of neglect.

Washington law provides substantial protection for vulnerable adults. These adults include--but are not limited to--the elderly. Vulnerable adults also include younger persons who have been injured in accidents or are born with challenges that prevent them from caring for themselves.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Michael Myers

Don't Our Parents and Grandparents Deserve Better?

Michael Myers — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 19:15:44 GMT

Many of our closest friends and cherished relatives live in nursing homes. We place our trust in the caregivers. When caregivers violate that trust, they need to face the consequences. And so must their employers.

The headline read: "Nurse Surprised to Face Charges". The story indicated that the nurse charged with killing her 88-year-old patient by neglect said Tuesday that she followed the orders of the nephews who had power of attorney for the woman, who slowly died from a serious leg infection.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Michael Myers

Nursing Home Abuse Leads to $1.9 Million Settlement

Michael Myers — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 09:24:54 GMT

Last week the press announced that the family of a 76-year-old Longview woman, who died after suffering a head injury from a fall in a nursing home and being left undiagnosed for more than two days, will receive a nearly $1.9 million settlement.

According to court documents, the woman was admitted to the Evergreen Frontier nursing home in January 2004 for rehabilitation from a stroke, where she was making good progress in her recovery.

On April 2, 2004, a nursing assistant student left Wart unattended --contrary to Wart's care plan -- and she fell from her bed, striking her head on the floor.

Although Wart showed symptoms of serious head injury including vomiting and increased blood pressure, she was left untreated for 48 hours until she was found comatose. She was transferred to St. John's hospital where she died two days later.

It is particularly important to treat and monitor head injuries in older persons. The use of anti-coagulants makes them more likely to suffer from brain bleeds. Similarly, the increased space between older people's brains and skulls makes them more vulnerable to serious closed-head injuries.

Unfortunately incidents like this are all too common. Undertrained or uncaring "care givers" fail to treat our parents and grandparents with the competence and dignity they deserve. Cases like this can be brought under common law or the Abuse of Vulnerable Adults Act -- a Washington law designed to protect nursing home patients.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Michael Myers

Nursing Homes Could be Judgment-Proof in Abuse or Neglect Cases

Michael Myers — Sun, 02 Apr 2006 12:56:48 GMT

Nursing home operators have been frequently converting their facilities to LLCs, without long-term care liability insurance. Then when someone sues the nursing home for abuse or neglect, there is no insurance money to collect. As a result, the nursing homes are often worthless and judgment-proof.

If your loved one has been abused in a nursing home, you should contact a personal injury lawyer right away to discuss your options and preserve your claims. Personal injury attorneys are well-equipped to investigate and trace where the nursing homes' money is going, so their clients can be compensated for their injuries.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Michael Myers

Elderly Deaths in Seattle Adult Family Homes Being Investigated

Michael Myers — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 15:38:37 GMT

A Seattle detective has begun investigating deaths that occur in Seattle's adult family homes, in an effort to crack down on cases of abuse or neglect. Adult family homes consist of up to six patients and generally have fewer employees than nursing homes. Often, because of their size, these types of homes avoid some of the scrutiny focused on the larger nursing homes.

Protecting our seniors is very important. If neglect or abuse is suspected, families of the injured person should contact a personal injury attorney right away.

For more information: New scrutiny being focused on adult-family-home deaths.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Michael Myers