On behalf of Weisman, Kennedy & Berris Co., L.P.A. posted in Medical Malpractice on Tuesday, March 12, 2013.

Anyone who has entrusted a Cleveland nursing home with the care of an elderly loved one understands that it can be difficult. In most cases, a nursing home provides excellent care for the elderly, but unfortunately a few care centers have been reported and sued for medical negligence.

Five residents allegedly died from the poor care they received at a nursing home. The federal government sued the nursing home, saying that staff members made several medical mistakes, including disregarding doctors’ orders and providing an insufficient number of registered nurses. According to a 2007 citation, the facility staff placed a patient in severe medical danger after it ignored the patient’s pressure sores.

Besides these medical errors, the nursing home made false Medicare and Medicaid claims, according to federal prosecutors. In a four-year period, the nursing home received nearly $100,000 in medical expenses.

Nursing home management at the time asserted that the accusations of nursing home neglect were unjustified and refused a settlement offer. Although nursing home representatives maintained their blamelessness, ultimately they said it was in the best interests of the nursing home to settle the matter.

As part of the settlement, the nursing home will pay $350,000 to the federal government. Along with the payment, the nursing home promises to improve its patient care and to document its progress. An independent consultant will monitor the care center’s changes and report them to the U.S. Attorney’s Office each quarter.

It is unknown whether the families of those five victims have filed lawsuits against the care center. People who feel that their loved ones have been the victims of nursing home neglect or nurse negligence may want to consider meeting with an attorney to discuss their options.

Source: Cincinnati.com, “Erlanger nursing home paying $350K,” Brenna R. Kelly, Feb. 25, 2013