Woman Files $2.9 Million Elder Financial Abuse Lawsuit Against Nursing Home Owner
A 73-year-old former nursing home resident is suing the owner of two assisted living facilities for $2.9 million. Daisy Mae Clark filed her elder financial abuse lawsuit earlier this month against nursing home owner Thomas Richard Williams, his wife Doris Williams, and employee Dorothy Pendergrass.
Williams obtained Clark’s power of attorney in November 2004. The 73-year-old woman is accusing him of using her personal checking account to make questionable transactions. Clark’s lawyer says Williams used Clark’s account as his personal account, which he wasn’t supposed to do.
According to the elder financial abuse complaint, Williams illegally mixed his business and personal funds with Clark’s assets. He also allegedly took funds from other nursing home residents’ accounts and deposited them in the elderly woman’s accounts—an illegal action to take under state law.
Clark says some 2,958 violations were made against her. She is seeking a return of the money she paid Williams when she was staying in the nursing home. She also wishes to obtain damages for the mental anguish that his actions have caused her. Her attorney says that Clark was not allowed access to her own account records and the facility kept her “captive” and refused to provide her with her identification when she did leave.
In March 2009, Clark checked her account and noticed all of the activity that had occurred during the last five years. She closed the joint account she shared with Williams and revoked the power of attorney she had given him.
Unfortunately, many people consider elderly nursing home residents easy targets of elder financial abuse. This is not only a violation of a person’s rights, but it can seriously affect the patient’s ability to pay for the resources and services that he or she may need during the later years of life. Many elderly persons spend their lives saving up for their retirement. Elder financial abuse is against the law in Illinois and can be grounds for a civil lawsuit against a Chicago nursing home or another person or entity responsible for committing this crime.
Why Elderly Persons are At Risk of Becoming the Victims of Financial Abuse:
• They have retirement savings.
• They may not know their assets’ value.
• They may be dependent on others to handle their finances.
• Their poor health may make them less likely to press criminal charges.
• They may not be aware that they are the victims of financial abuse.
Floyd County woman sues nursing home owner for $2.9 million, RomeNews-Tribune.com, July 14, 2009
Financial Abuse, National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse
Related Web Resources:
Helpguide.org
As recession grinds on, financial abuse of elders takes a growing toll, Boston.com, July 16, 2009
In Illinois, contact our Chicago nursing home abuse law firm to discuss your Illinois financial elder abuse case.
