When families place loved ones into the care of a skilled nursing facility, they trust that the facility will be able to take care of their loved one’s needs and prioritize their health. Unfortunately, not all nursing homes provide a safe and health-focused environment for residents. In some cases, residents can be neglected or abused by the very people who are tasked with providing care for them.
With recent headlines about nursing home neglect, abuse, and fraud, it can be scary to think about what to do if your loved one needs care or what to do in the event you see problems at a nursing home. Dalli & Marino, LLP has helped many families deal with the aftermath of nursing home abuse and neglect. As a result, we’re aware of many of the situations and challenges that come up, such as the recent news about Cold Spring Hills.
What Happened at Cold Spring Hills?
According to News 12 The Bronx, in September 2023, New York Attorney General Letitia James requested that a court-appointed caretaker oversee the care of seniors at a nursing home called Cold Spring Hills located in Woodbury, New York. Cold Spring Hills has had charges of alleged fraud and nursing home neglect in the past. The report indicates that the nursing home’s owners took $22.6 million in Medicaid and Medicare payments from patient care and moved it into fraudulent companies again. Additionally, Cold Spring Hills faced other legal action over terminating health benefits for its employees.
The health department came forward and demanded a court-appointed caretaker to go to Cold Spring Hills. In theory, this added oversight should be able to ensure that the nursing home meets quality care standards to protect residents. Understandably, families may be concerned if their loved one is a resident of Cold Spring Hills or at a similar facility. If this can happen in one nursing home, it is possible that it could happen elsewhere.
What Is the Impact on Patient Care?
At the time of writing this, the cases against Cold Spring Hills have yet to reach a final verdict. However, when nursing homes face lawsuits, it is possible that the lawsuits can be related to poor quality care. First, it is possible that what the Attorney General alleges is actually happening at Cold Spring Hills. If money that should be directed toward patient care is diverted to other things, the quality of patient care, meals, and recreation opportunities will suffer.
Second, the lawsuit alleging that the company is planning to terminate employee health benefits suggests an unhappy workforce. Generally, nursing homes operate best when fully staffed and when they maintain high employee retention and satisfaction rates. With too few staff members, neglect and caregiver burnout can happen. While the report doesn’t give a thorough depiction of what exactly is happening with employee benefits, the lawsuit itself suggests that there might be a reason to be concerned.
Contact a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Today
Nursing home abuse and neglect can happen in any skilled nursing facility. It is important that family members do their own due diligence process to find the right one for their loved ones and continue to monitor what happens over the course of care. If you notice any signs of nursing home abuse, it is critical to follow up on those concerns.
If you have any questions about your legal options for dealing with nursing home abuse, Dalli & Marino, LLP can help. Our firm helps victims of nursing home abuse and neglect get the compensation they need to recover. This might mean compensation for further injury, monetary losses through theft, and, in some cases, pain and suffering for what happened. Contact us online or call us at 888-465-8790 today to schedule a free consultation. We are here to answer any questions that you might have about your rights to compensation. Our team also speaks Spanish.
