Lawyers, nonprofits help fight nursing home abuse
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When abuse to a loved one happens in a nursing home, to whom should family and friends turn for help and guidance? What resources are available for legal and medical help? Both lawyers and nonprofit agencies in Missouri can help families both to rectify the situation and return the quality of life to the resident who suffered from the abuse. There have been several cases of alleged elder abuse and neglect in the past year that are now making their way into the St. Louis court system. Last December, two residents at the Integrated Health Services at 10954 Kennerly Road in south St. Louis County died as a result of alleged negligent care on the part of the understaffed facility. The suits were filed by attorneys David Terry and Brad Blake of the Fellow, Blake & Terry law firm on behalf of the residents families. On Dec. 6, 2000, Nellie Frick, 89, died from complication from a head injury she suffered from a fall at the I.H.S. She had a history of falling at that facility but was allegedly left unattended at the time of her fall. On Dec. 3, after striking her face and jaw on the floor, she was taken to a local hospital where she was diagnosed with a fracture through the alveolar ridge, she had bit through her lip and had several loose teeth. After her death a few days later, her records were allegedly falsified to suggest that workers had given her better care. At the same facility a few weeks later, Mamie Miller, 78, died Dec. 16, after contracting pneumonia that allegedly went undetected by staff, even though she had complained of exhaustion, weakness, trouble breathing and constipation since Dec. 13. On Dec. 15, while she was receiving her dialysis treatment,… Source : accessmylibrary.com |