10 NY State Nurses Charged with Nursing Home Abuse

New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has filed criminal charges for nursing home abuse against 10 suspects who were employed at the Blossom North Nursing Home in Rochester, NY.

Schneiderman said that the criminal nursing home abuse charges stemmed from allegations that the employees abused one of the facility’s residents.

Reportedly, the victim, Miguel Pibon, had both legs amputated above the knees, and also suffered partial paralysis, Type 2 diabetes, glaucoma, and impaired cognition. The patient’s son, Angel, called the Attorney General’s office and reported the nursing home abuse. Investigators discovered six nurses and four nursing assistants neglecting Mr. Pibon after they placed a camera in his room to collect evidence of the abuse and neglect.

Camera footage revealed that the 10 nursing home abuse suspects routinely ignored their duties, including failing to dispense vital medications, leaving him stationary in bed for hours at a time, which can cause bed sores, and even in some cases leaving him in his own feces. He passed away in mid-March, after the nursing home abuse investigation started.

Angel Pibon said, “He didn’t complain to me, because he didn’t want me to worry. I think the breaking point was there was one day where I walked into his room and I smelled my dad, a few doors down. I could smell the feces, but I didn’t think anything of it being a nursing home. When I walked into his room, I could literally smell it, like it was him.”

All 10 of the employees appeared in court for arraignment on the criminalnursing home abuse charges on Friday, March 28th.

Five Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

1. Bedsores and Unexplained Rashes

A bedsore, also called decubitis ulcer, is a pressure sore which typically arise if a patient is not turned frequently and is lying on a low quality mattress without overlays. Typically bedsores are seen at the heels of the feet, back of the knees, buttocks, and other boney parts of the body. A bedsore may be treated with antibiotics. However, if the antibiotics do not work, amputation may be the only means of saving the life of the patient. A patient may die from sepsis, or blood poisoning as a result of the bed sore.

2. Unexplained or Undocumented Falls

Many times, when these patients experience a fall, they are left with lacerations, abrasions, bone fractures, disfigurement, and even head injuries. Nursing Home staff may fail to report how the patient sustained such injuries and/or fail to examine the full extent of the injuries.

3. Malnutrition and Dehydration

In some circumstances elderly patients may require a special diet and/or may not be able to feed themselves. If nursing home staffs fail to provide for the patient’s needs malnutrition or dehydration may result.

4. Body Odor, Soiled Sheets or Clothing, Unkempt

If your loved one looks messy and appears un-bathed this should come as a red flag for nursing home neglect. Nursing home staff have a duty to care for your loved one, this includes routine bathing, changing of linens, and making sure your loved one is fed.

5. Injury sustained from Elopement and Wandering

When a nursing home patient wanders away from a facility, they are unknowingly putting themselves in danger. Nursing home staff have an obligation to ensure that no elderly patient will walk away from the premises.  Wandering occurs when a resident is left to roam aimlessly around the facility with no supervision.

The Strom Law Defends Victims of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

If your loved one has physically suffered, or died wrongfully, due to neglect or abuse in a nursing home, you may have a nursing home abuse case. The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm understand the sensitive nature of elder abuse cases, and will treat you with respect and compassion. It is important to fight elder 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