Nursing Home Abuse: Former CNA Charged with Assaulting Bedridden Elderly Resident
A former certified nursing assistant faces criminal charges for elder abuse. 42-year-old John Ette is accused of punching, hitting, and grabbing an 88-year-old resident who is bedridden, has dementia, and is visually impaired. The assault incident allegedly occurred last October at Adirondack Medical Center's Mercy Nursing Home.
Nursing home workers reported the incident to administrators as well as the patient’s family after they noticed bruises on the patient's face. She also sustained a broker collar bone.
Following an internal probe, Ette was fired. The investigation revealed that the former CNA neglected to follow the proper policies and procedures at the hospital for reporting the incident. The nursing home, however, did report the incident to state officials. The Attorney General’s Office then conducted a criminal investigation.
Criminal charges against Ette include willful violation of health laws, second-degree endangering the welfare of a vulnerable elderly person, and endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person. If convicted, the former CNA could face up to four years in prison.
Meantime, the victim continues to be a resident at the nursing home.
Nursing Home Abuse Cases
With more people living longer lives, the nation’s elderly population is growing. This means that more seniors and their families may be requiring the services of Illinois nursing homes to provide them with the specialized care that their loved ones need.
Unfortunately, nursing home abuse and neglect continue to be large problems affecting long-term care facilities throughout the US. Every week, there are reports of neglect and abuse incidents involving nursing home residents who got hurt because they were abused by another patient or by a nursing home worker. There are also far too many cases involving patients whose health deteriorated because they were the victims of nursing home neglect.
There are steps that you can take to ensure that your loved one is compensated for their personal injuries.
Elder abuse charged at Adirondack Medical Center's Mercy Nursing Home, Press Republican, May 14, 2009
Related Web Resources:
As the population ages, so does elder abuse, ABC Local, May 14, 2009
Elder Abuse, HelpGuide.org
In Cook County, Lake County, DuPage County, and Will County, Illinois, contact Chicago nursing home abuse lawyer Steven Malman for a free case evaluation.
