Nursing Home Resident Death Leads to Indictments for Nursing Home Abuse

Nine employees from the Medford Multicare Center for Living, including the facilitator’s top administrator, have been indicted on nursing home abuse charges after a resident died.

The 72-year-old resident, who was required to be on a ventilator as ordered by her doctor, entered the Medford facility for temporary rehabilitation. At least 7 staff members failed to respond to a call button.

The employees indicted on nursing home abuse include: David Fielding, 57, of Lido Beach, the facility’s administrator; Christine Boylan, 49, of Mastic, director of respiratory therapy; Kethlie Joseph, 62, of Brentwood, a respiratory therapist; nurses Victoria Caldwell, 51, of Medford, Marianne Fassino, 53, of Shirley, and Kimberly Lappe, 31, of Medford; and nurse’s aides Christina Corelli, 37, of East Patchogue, Patricia DiGiovanni, 62, of Port Jefferson and Leona Gordon, 35, of Medford.

Prosecutors say that the call button went off at least every 15 seconds for more than two hours before the patient died. Other employees allegedly told investigators that the resident’s alarm was not beeping, although records showed that they were, and more employees claimed to have seen the patient alive after he had died. Video surveillance footage shows one nurse walking past the resident’s room to her office while the alarm was going off, and ignoring the call.

“The negligence alleged in this case is criminal and will not be tolerated in New York nursing homes,” Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said. “Today’s indictment sends a clear message: We will arrest those who put our most vulnerable citizens in harm’s way, and in particular those who neglect or deny life-saving medical treatment to patients. We must and will do everything in our power to protect our nursing home residents from abuse.”

The Medford facility has faced numerous nursing home abuse charges, from financial abuse to physical abuse, since 2008.

The Strom Law Defends Victims of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Many times the signs of abuse and neglect occurring in a nursing home or residential care facility are apparent.    Nursing-Home patients experiencing the physical abuse of their caregivers may exhibit one or more of the following symptoms:

• bruises, welts, burns;
• unexplained bone injuries and other physical injuries;
• repeated accidents; and/or
• personal injuries left untreated.

You may also notice:

• withdrawal from family and friends;
• fear, uneasiness, anxiety;
• unexplained weight gain or loss;
• sudden loss of interest in living;
• a sudden decline of psychological health;
• signs of anxiety, distrust or fear toward their caregiver;
• signs or symptoms of severe shock including the growth and development of tics such as rocking or refusing to speak; and/or
• a desire to be alone.

You are not alone.  If your loved one has physically suffered, or died wrongfully, due to neglect or abuse in a nursing home or residential care facility, you may have a nursing home abuse case. The attorneys at The Strom Law Firm, LLC, understand the sensitive nature of elder abuse cases, and will treat you with respect and compassion. It is important to fight elder and nursing home abuse so you, your family, and others no longer suffer because of criminal behavior. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case. Contact us today for help.803.252.4800