Many news outlets in Delaware, along with the Delco Times, are reporting that claims of physical abuse from a nursing home patient that suffers from dementia, have proved accurate with the help of video recordings.
The elderly woman’s family is now planning on filing a civil lawsuit.
Attorney Robert Mongeluzzi, representing victim L.A. and her family, said, “This case is about an assault on human dignity. We would ask (a jury) for a reward to punish them for what they’ve done.”
Three former employees of the Quadrangle nursing home have been criminally charged with abuse. The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, citing “gross incompetence, negligence and misconduct” has also pulled the facility’s license.
The victim’s daughter, M.M.F, and her husband, P.F. told reporters about the alleged abuse and pending lawsuit.
M.M.F. stated that her mother entered the nursing home in January 2009. L.A., 78, was involved in the decision – solely based on the reputation of the facility and its nearness to the family home in Philadelphia.
Quadrangle, in not accepting Medicare, billed the family between $7,700 and $8,000 a month for their portion of L.A.’s care.
One living there, L.A. was moved to the assisted living portion, and then the dementia unit, by March.
M.M.F. said, “She started in early March saying someone was hurting her, hitting her.”
The couple reported L.A.’s allegations to the administrators and, after an investigation, was told that it wasn’t true – and attributed the claims to L.A.’s dementia. To which M.M.F. said, “We just thought there was more to it.”
Within another week M.M.F. and her husband noticed bruises on L.A.’s left hand and wrist. This time they didn’t report what they had seen to the administration.
Instead they took photographs and installed a surveillance camera – disguised as a clock – in L.A.’s room.
The retrieved video showed three different Quadrangle staff members taunting, mocking and assaulting L.A. – while she wasn’t completely dressed. In detail they witnessed L.A. trying to cover herself with a long-sleeved shirt while one of her tormentors grabbed at the shirt and reached toward the elderly woman’s face.
Further in the video, a woman is seen hitting L.A. in the face, the head and then shoving her down and onto her bed.
P.F. took the video to the Haverford police and they began an investigation.
Employees S.T., 22, T.G., 21 and A.M., 19, face charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, criminal conspiracy, harassment, neglect of care of a dependent person and reckless endangerment.
Quadrangle allegedly failed to report the suspected abuse with the Department of Public Welfare, or any local agency, as required by law.
In filing the lawsuit, the couple said, “We would ask for a reward to punish them for what they’ve done.”
Mongeluzzi said, “Nursing homes are a big business.”
L.A. has since been moved home with her family. M.M.F. said, “It’s been an adjustment for her. She’s still fearful at times.
When I get her changed at night, she sometimes makes comments like, ‘Don’t hurt me.’” P.F. added, “I would like them to feel the pain she felt.”
Do you suspect, or have proof of, abuse or neglect of a loved on in a nursing home? Contact a nursing home abuse lawyer for help today!