Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea Lawsuit

The Albert Lea Tribune has an excellent story about a recent lawsuit filed by victims of abuse at the Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea nursing home. Here is an article about the original incident and the arrest of nursing assistants for abuse.

Figure Skater Nancy Kerrigan’s father dead in Elder Abuse case

The father of former Olympic figure skater Nancy Kerrigan died this weekend after a fight with his son. Police arrested 45 year old Mark Kerrigan for Assault and Battery resulting in harm to an elder after Mark told police his 70 year old father Daniel fell during a fight over the use of a telephone.

The seven page police report of the incident indicates police found the elder Kerrigan unconscious on the kitchen floor when they arrived. The report noted that Mark Kerrigan was noticeably intoxicated and belligerent toward the police. He had to be pepper sprayed and forcibly removed from the home. An autopsy will determine if additional charges will be brought.

Elder Financial Abuse Claim Results in $1.6M Award

A panel of arbitrators through the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has awarded a 95-year old man $1.6 million in damages against StockCross Financial Services in a stock broker fraud claim that resulted in triple damages based on a finding of elder abuse.

more….AboutLawsuits.com

NYC Nursing Home to Pay $19M in Damages

A Brooklyn nursing home will have to fork over nearly $19 million in damages to the family of a 76-year-old patient neglected so badly that he left with more than 20 bedsores.

more…foxnews.com

This is a substantial verdict and the first time a plaintiff has been awarded punitive damages against a nursing home in New York state. Now comes the hard part, trying to collect the judgment. It is not likely the owners had 19 million dollars worth of insurance coverage.

Ca Attorney Arrested for Stealing from Elder

image

Fresno Police have arrested 63-year-old James Saccheri of Clovis, for elder abuse charges. Saccheri, an attorney for the victim’s family, was appointed as a trustee for an elderly woman who is in a full-time care facility.

Authorities say that between 2002 and 2008 Saccheri is accused of embezzling more than $100,000 over several years. Saccheri was booked into the Fresno County jail on counts of theft from an elder adult. Bail was set at $1.7 million.

A record of disciplinary action against Saccheri by the California Bar Association in 2000 can be found here. In November 2009 the California Department of Corporations issued Saccheri a Desist and Refrain Oder for selling unregistered securities and making untrue statements of material facts.

Michigan Caretaker Charged with Embezzlement

image

Genesee County Michigan authorities announced they have charged 30-year-old Andrea Neil of Flint Township with embezzlement and obtaining money under false pretenses.Neil is accused of stealing several million dollars from retired Dr. Dorothy Mulkey.

More….

Troubling Inspection Report in Virginia

TriCities.com is reporting that state inspectors paid an unannounced visit to the National Healthcare Corporation nursing home in Bristol Virginia in October and found that an alarming number of employees did not know they were mandatory reporters when they witness or suspect any form of abuse at the facility. The inspector noted that twenty-one of the 35 staff members interviewed were not aware they were required to report allegations of abuse to the appropriate state agency.

The inspection came after the arrest of James William Wright, 35, on four counts of aggravated sexual battery in late August. Wright is accused of abusing residents during the eight years he worked at the facility. A copy of the Virginia Board of Nursing Consent Order revoking his CNA certificate can be found here.

Healthcare-Associated Infections

Kimberly-Clark Health Care has started a campaign to bring more awareness about Healthcare-Associated Infections to medical professionals. Hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities wanting more information about the program, titled Healthcare-Associated Infections: Not On My Watch, can find resources at the web page www.haiwatchnews.com.

Financial Abuse Of Seniors Video

This is an excellent video about elder financial exploitation and scams by the California Attorney General’s Office.

The Age of Justice

This video was recently shown on Capitol Hill to help promote passage of the Elder Justice Act.