Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers Home
Parent or guardian notification is required any time there is resident-to-resident or caregiver-to-resident assault occurring at long-term care centers. Unfortunately, not all facility Administrators follow procedures and protocols in making notifications to concern parents when a loved one has suffered physical, emotional, mental or sexual assault. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers provide legal representation, advice, and counsel to residents of Illinois long-term care (LTC) centers like Bethshan Association who have been abused and mistreated by other residents and caregivers.
Bethshan Association
This Nursing Facility is a faith-based Center providing services to residents of Palos Heights and Cook County, Illinois. The 45-certified-bed LTC Home is located at:
12927 South Monitor
Palos Heights, Illinois 60463
(708) 371-0800
Palos Heights LTC Home Resident Safety Concerns
Comprehensive research results can be reviewed through the Illinois Department of Public Health [ltc.dph.illinois.gov] nursing home database that details every incident inquiry, opened investigation, filed complaint, safety concern and health violation. Many families use this information to determine the level of medical, health and hygiene care LTC homes in their community provide their residents.
The Cook County abuse and neglect attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have reviewed serious safety concerns, deficiencies and violations at this long-term care facility that include:
- Failure to Communicate with Parents and Clients in Accordance with the Law
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 03/26/2015, the state investigator noted during the first follow-up to an annual survey of January 2015 the facility’s failure to “implement their Plan of Correction (POC) when they failed to notify guardians [regarding 8 incidences] involving peer-to-peer aggression and four incidences involving injuries.”
The deficient practice was first noted in the state investigator’s findings after reviewing the facility’s incident reports including the documentation of February 2015. The investigator noted that numerous reports “lacked guardian notification for peer to peer incidences” occurring on:
- 02/17/2015 -- Where a resident “threw her dinner plate at [another resident] hitting her in the chest.”
- On 02/17/2015 -- Where a resident hit another resident “in the arm, with her fist.”
- On 02/18/2015 – Where a resident “was noted to be grabbing [another resident posse is] arm and hitting [that resident] in the head.”
- On 02/20/2015 – Where a resident hit another resident.
- On 02/26/2015 when the resident hit another resident “in the chest.”
- On 03/02/2015 – Where a resident grabbed another resident’s legs and pinched her.”
- On 03/21/2015 – Where a resident hit another resident “across the hip.”
- On 03/22/2015 – Where a resident punched another resident “on the arm.”
The investigator noted that numerous incidences “lacked guardian notification” involving injuries. On 03/17/2015 a resident “was found on the floor, after apparently rolling out of bed.” That resident “sustained a scratch, with a minute laceration, on the right eyebrow.”
On 03/01/2015, a resident “was seen and treated by a physician, for a warm and swollen knee. The facility’s investigation found the cause to be from a partial fall on 02/20/2015.” Again, on 02/17/2015, a resident “was found to have a red rash on both buttocks and an abrasion to her mid-back.” On 02/19/2015, a resident “was found to have a bruise left fifth toe, the guardian was not notified until [the resident] went to the hospital on 02/21/2015 and was diagnosed with a fractured toe.”
An interview was conducted with the facility’s Administrator who “confirmed a lack of guardian notification” in regards to these incidences and attacks. The Administrator “stated the facility’s POC was to individualize guardian notification at each resident’s annual staffing [...and] said that at this time, the annual ‘staffings’ have not taken place, and currently all guardians should be notified of all resident injuries and peer-to-peer aggression.”
The state investigator noted that the actions of the Administrator and facility staff failed to follow their Plan of Correction that reads in part:
“The Administrator will be responsible for developing a plan on contacting guardians in the event of a serious illness, injury or abuse. The Administrator and QIDP will ensure that parents and guardians are notified of any serious illness, accidents, and abuse when they occur, according to the plan laid out.”
In addition, the investigator reminded the facility that they “most notified promptly the client’s parents and guardians of any significant incidents, or changes in the client’s condition including, but not limited to, serious illness, accident, death, abuse or unauthorized absence.”
Palos Heights Illinois Long Term Care Home Abuse Lawyers
If your loved one was the victim of abuse, mistreatment or neglect while a patient at Bethshan Association, contact the Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers law firm now. Our reputable Palos Heights attorneys provide victims of nursing home abuse, neglect or mistreatment the legal representation they need against all those who caused them harm.
We urge you to contact our Cook County elder abuse law office at (888) 424-5757 to schedule your appointment today to speak with one of our experienced lawyers for your initial complimentary recompense case evaluation. You and your family are not required to pay any upfront fees or retainers because we accept all nursing home abuse and neglect cases through contingency fee arrangements. This means all payments for our legal fees are made only after we have successfully resolved your case in a jury trial or negotiated an out of court settlement on your behalf.
Sources:
http://www.idph.state.il.us/ltc/docs/SurveyResult/6000905FIK02082016.PDF
http://www.idph.state.il.us/ltc/docs/SurveyResult/6000905FID03262015.PDF
http://www.idph.state.il.us/ltc/docs/SurveyResult/6000905FIK01162015.PDF
