Nursing Home Employee Charged with Sexually Assaulting Elderly Patient

According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, approximately 14 million Americans aged 65 and older have some form of disability. While some of these people are able to live on their own or with family members, many are confined to nursing homes and other long-term care facilities to receive the assistance they need on a daily basis. The nursing homes that care for these individuals are charged with providing safe and reasonable assistance to them and they are to act in a manner that benefits the patient. However, nationally, incidents of nursing home abuse and neglect happen on a daily basis and often take the form of misconduct against those residents who are unable to help themselves.

Disabled adults in nursing homes, especially disabled females, face a higher risk of being the victim of abuse in that setting, according to the National Center on Elder Abuse. From failing to provide adequate care to physical or sexual abuse, these incidents can be very serious and can leave a victim with injuries. Though this damage cannot be erased, a victim and/or that victim’s family members may be entitled to financial compensation for the damages inflicted in the case of nursing home abuse and they may realize that relief by working with a personal injury attorney in Chicago.

A 27-year-old male employee of a nursing home in Texas recently was charged with sexually assaulting a disabled female resident of the home and is now facing the criminal offense in a court of law. Authorities allege that another employee of the nursing facility witnessed the male worker partially clothed and in the bed of a female resident. The 76-year-old female resident reportedly has limited mental faculties and it is unclear whether this was a repeated offense.

Upon witnessing the act, the second employee reported the conduct to superiors and to local authorities who began an investigation and initiated criminal charges. The male worker currently is being held on bond while he awaits trial; he has not yet entered a plea at this time.

Many cases of nursing home abuse and neglect are difficult to uncover because the victims are vulnerable and may have no ability to report the misconduct. For this reason and others, it is helpful for many to speak with a personal injury lawyer in Illinois.

The attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. have dedicated themselves to the representation of those who have been hurt and if you suspect that your loved one has suffered in a nursing home, we want to help you as well. Call us toll free at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575 and let us provide you with a free case consultation without obligation. Everything discussed will be kept confidential and if we represent you or your loved one, we will never charge a fee unless we make a recovery in your case.

Prior Blog Entry:

Guilty Plea from Nurse’s Aide who Failed to Call for Help for Patient, Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog, published April 24, 2015.

Resource:

Texas nursing home worker discovered half-naked in elderly patient’s bed: cops, by Doyle Murphy, New York Daily News, published May 3, 2015.