New York Attorney General Sues the Owners of a Rochester Area Nursing Home
On November 29, 2022, the New York Attorney General sued the owners of a Rochester area nursing facility, alleging that the defendants committed grievous acts that resulted in significant neglect and physical and emotional harm to the home’s residents.
The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center Case
New York Attorney General Leticia James filed suit against Comprehensive at Orleans LLC, doing business as The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center (The Villages), accusing the company of committing years of financial fraud. The AG’s office conducted an extensive investigation into the company and its owners and found that the LLC and its operators engaged in a complex financial scheme involving tens of millions of dollars in taxpayer dollars from Medicare and Medicaid funding.
According to an AG release, the investigation revealed that between 2015 and 2021, the defendant “received $86.4 million in funding, including millions in taxpayer dollars from Medicare and Medicaid, intended to provide quality healthcare to vulnerable residents.” However, the A.G. alleges that instead of using the funds for patient care, the defendants increased their profits by cutting staffing to dangerously low levels.
It’s believed that the defendants siphoned off $18.6 million of these funds (more than 20% of the company’s operating budget) for themselves rather than paying for essential services and care for the residents.
Diminished Quality of Nursing Home Care
The AG’s suit contends that the defendants’ action resulted in insufficient staffing and a diminished quality of care for home residents. As a result, nursing facility residents are believed to have suffered significant abuse and neglect, including falls, unexplained doping, malnourishment and dehydration, developed sepsis, gangrene, bed sores, inadequate wound care, and medical toxicity. In some instances, the defendants’ neglect resulted in resident hospitalization and death. In addition to abysmal staffing, the nursing home also completely disregarded infection control protocols in response to COVID-19.
The AG is seeking numerous remedies, including the removal of leadership, a moratorium on admissions, defendants to pay for financial and healthcare monitors, repayment for misused funds, reimbursement to federal and state entities for investigation costs, and release of all improperly procured funds wrongfully received in connection with this scheme.
Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
When you put a loved one in the care of a nursing home, you want to be able to trust that they will receive quality care in a safe environment. Unfortunately, as the “The Villages at Orleans” case demonstrates, those operating these facilities don’t always prioritize resident care. Nursing home neglect can have serious and even deadly consequences. When homes are understaffed or workers are improperly trained, residents can suffer tremendous harm. Further, nursing home residents can suffer physical, emotional, financial, and sexual abuse or exploitation.
Signs of Nursing Home Neglect
Nursing homes have a responsibility to provide adequate care and safety for residents. Someone who is being subjected to nursing home abuse or neglect may show signs such as:
- Extreme weight loss
- Unexplained bruising, fractures, or injuries
- Bedsores
- Infected wounds
- The presence of bedsores
- Poor hygiene
- Skin rashes or tears
- Bruises or contusions
- Unexplained injuries
- Frequent falls
- Dehydration
- Refusal to eat or drink
- Depression and withdrawal
Contact an Experienced Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
If you or a loved one have been harmed by insufficient nursing home staffing, or abuse, neglect, or exploitation, you need to contact an experienced nursing home injury attorney. Your nursing home injury lawyer can help you evaluate your case and seek damages for your injuries.
At Bonina and Bonina, P.C., we have been successfully fighting for injured nursing home residents for over 50 years. If you or a loved one has been injured by negligence or abuse in a nursing home, we will listen to you, explain your options, and help you decide what action you should take. The consultation is free, so call us at 1-888-MEDLAW1 or contact us online to set an appointment—Se Habla Espanol. Home and hospital visits are available.