Though a nursing home in North Bergen has cited a “commitment to safety” to its charges, a family has announced that based on video-surveillance tapes, that they have enough evidence to file a lawsuit, as reported by NewJersey.com in Hudson County.
A spokesman for Harborage nursing home, in claiming that they have an outstanding record, wrote, “We have a zero-tolerance policy with respect to the improper treatment of any of our residents.”
M.A., an 87 year-old paralyzed patient, was seen being beaten by an aide on January 15 via a “nanny cam”. On March 21 the A. family announced that based on what they viewed on the video, they will be suing the nursing home and others
The family already had suspicions about the care that M.A. had received while at the nursing home. Because of this, they installed the “nanny cam”.
The family viewed the camera’s tape after M.A. died on January 16. What they found prompted them to seek out the police.
North Bergen police informed the nursing home of the incident and the facility, in turn, notified the New Jersey Department of Health. The statement from Harborage details that they then conducted several meetings with the families of all of the residents and held meetings with all of the staff members as well.
The statement continues, “Subsequent to our reporting of this incident to the New Jersey Department of Health, they conducted an on-site review of the issue and determined that the Harborage was in compliance with all Federal and State licensing regulations that apply.”
Harborage is owned by Palisades Medical Center.
M.A.’s children, G.D. and E.R., at a news conference at the Horn Law office in Jersey City, announced their intention to file a nursing home abuse lawsuit against The Harborage, and others, within 30 days.
G.D. has alleged that due to some bruising that she had discovered on her mother – that appeared repeatedly – she decided to install the camera. G.D. stated that at first she tried to report the incidents to the nursing home and also to state officials – but that she got no assistance.
The camera was in place, and recording, for a full month before M.A. passed away.
But, G.D. didn’t view the video until after her mother had died. Once she did, she was disturbed by the footage she found.
The video-recorded beatings, at the hands of aide J.G., 59, included the day before M.A. died. J.G. has since been charged with assault, abandonment and neglect of the elderly.
She is not, however, charged with contributing to M.A.’s death.
She has since been fired from the nursing home.
Gene Horn, attorney for the A. family, said that the recording showed J.G. striking A. repeatedly. J.G. also was seen removing M.A.’s oxygen mask without first getting authorization.
The video will be released once the suit is filed. The amount of monetary damages sought has yet not been announced
Contact a nursing home abuse lawyer if you suspect that your loved one has been harmed, or a death hastened, while under the care of a nursing home establishment.