Nursing Home Associated with Large, For-Profit Network Sued After Woman Suffered and Died
News of a recent lawsuit against Three Mile Curve Operations LLC, dba Logan Center, Genesis Healthcare LLC a nursing home in Logan Center, West Virginia alleges that poor care provided at the facility caused a woman who required rehabilitative services and assistance with day-to-day tasks to suffer from neglect related injuries and eventually die.
According to a March 25th report in the West Virginia Record, an incident took place on April 12, 2018, which triggered the untimely death of Ms. Lilian Messer soon after being admitted to the facility.
The suit alleges that Messer was:
- not provided with a safe place to live
- suffered from injury
- dehydration
- protein malnutrition
- sepsis
- experienced pain and suffering and ultimately, death
Logan Center is accused of negligence, reckless misconduct and wrongful death. The home is operated via a larger network of more than 400 short stay and long-term centers across 29 states owned by Genesis Healthcare. Genesis is one of the largest post-acute care providers in the United States. In 2018, the for-profit care business had an approximate annual net revenue of $487.8 million.
The Importance of Checking-In on Loved Ones
For those residing in long-term care facilities who are lucky enough to have family members or friends frequently visiting, their risk of being neglected or abused falls drastically. A daily call or weekly stop may prevent the quality of care services from lagging behind your loved one and put them at the same risk as Ms. Messer was in. Recognize these signs provided by the Nursing Home Abuse Center and report any findings or concerns immediately.
Physical Abuse
- Having unexplained broken bones, dislocations or sprains
- Bruising, scars or welts seen on the body
- Failing to take medications properly
- Signs of restraint, such as rope marks on the elder’s wrist
- Broken eyeglasses
- The refusal of the caregiver to let you be alone with the elderly person
Emotional Abuse
- Unusual behavior in the elderly person that can resemble symptoms of dementia, including mumbling behaviors, sucking one’s thumb, or rocking behaviors.
- Witnessing belittling, controlling or threatening behavior on the part of the caregiver.
Sexual Abuse
- Unexplained STDs or other genital infections
- Bruising near the genitals or around the breasts
- Stained, bloody or torn underwear
- Vaginal or anal bleeding unrelated to a medical condition
Neglect
- Leaving the elderly personal alone at risk of wandering or elopement
- Unsafe living conditions, such as a lack of heat, faulty electrical wiring, fire hazards or lack of running water
- Being unsuitably dressed for the weather
- Not bathing the person or leaving them dirty
- Living with soiled bed clothing, dirty clothes, bugs or dirty conditions
- The presence of bedsores from not turning the patient regularly
- Having an unusual loss of weight or dehydration
The warning signs of any type of abuse and neglect should not be ignored. Nursing home administrators and local ombudsmen, as well as authorities, need to act so our vulnerable loved ones will no longer be victimized.
Chicago’s Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorneys
If you feel your family member or friend is a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, please do not let it go unnoticed. Report it to nursing home officials, state regulatory bodies, and then visit with a local nursing home abuse and neglect attorney to see what can be done.
Consultations at Levin & Perconti are always free, confidential, and handled by one of our skilled attorneys. Click here to fill out an online request form or call us toll-free at 1-877-374-1417 or 312-332-2872.
Also Read: Video Evidence Can Prove Nursing Home Abuse