Nurse Pleads No Contest to Nursing Home Neglect
A license practical nurse at Jaquith Nursing Home is accused of neglecting to properly assess a nursing resident who fell and for failing to tell the family and a doctor about the accident. Sandra Whitehead has pleaded no contest to the charge of the misdemeanor neglect of a vulnerable adult.
Because of the fall accident, the elderly nursing resident broke his clavical and a number of ribs. The patient was in pain but was unable to communicate this to nursing home staffers.
Whitehead is also accused of failing to obey nursing home and nursing guidelines regarding how to document fall accidents. While the Attorney General’s Office says the nurse was not responsible for the elderly resident’s fall, officials claim she had an ethical and professional duty to make sure that a doctor properly examined the patient. She should have also notified nursing staff who relieved her from duty about what happened so they could closely monitor him.
A judge has ordered Whitehead to pay $600 in fines and court expenses. Whitehead also needs to complete 40 hours of community service.
Injuries during a fall accident can be serious and especially painful. It is important that such injuries are checked out by a physician right away. Elderly and physically frail nursing home residents are especially prone to serious injuries during fall accidents. Unless the injured patient gets help right away, complications and even death can result.
If you think a nursing home or one of its worker’s could have done more to prevent your loved one’s fall accident or make sure the resident received the proper and necessary care for fall injuries, including broken bones, hip injuries, spinal cord injuries, and head injuries, you should explore your legal options regarding Chicago nursing home neglect or abuse.
Madison Co. LPN pleads in neglect case, ClarionLedger, July 29, 2009
Madison resident answers to neglect charges, McHerald, July 29, 2009
Related Web Resource:
Recognizing Elder Abuse, BendBulletin, July 24, 2009
Contact our Chicago nursing home neglect law firm today.
