The suit, brought by the Sacramento-based Foundation Aiding the Elderly, accuses state regulators of “taking months and sometimes years” to complete investigations of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. Filed in San Francisco Superior Court, the lawsuit names the California Department of Public Health and two top administrators.
“This is jeopardizing all patients,” said Carole Herman, president of FATE. “The industry is not afraid of the regulators, they are so lax in their responsibilities.”
Corey Egel, spokesman for the Department of Public Health, said the department could not comment on pending litigation. The lawsuit, filed by the Lexington Law Group, a San Francisco public interest law firm, seeks a court order requiring the state to “complete complaint investigations and the complaint appeal process in a timely manner.” The lawsuit asks the court to impose deadlines or enforce existing ones on the complaint process. And, it asks that the court compel the department to prepare an annual report detailing the timeliness of its complaint investigations.
Herman said she pursued legal action because “it’s the only way the state is going to pay attention.”
The lawsuit cites Herman’s personal experiences with the department in filing complaints on behalf of nursing-home clients. One case filed by Herman in October 2011, which involves “serious allegations of negligent medical treatment,” remains unresolved, the lawsuit states. Two other investigations involving “serious allegations of sexual and/or physical abuse against an elder” have been pending since February 2012, according to the suit.
According to the lawsuit, the delays endanger residents and make it less likely a facility’s underlying problems will be addressed. The issues raised often need to be resolved quickly, before more harm can occur, witnesses’ memories fade – or witnesses die, the suit states.
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California sued over lagging nursing home inspections
Great news and the only way to get the state's attention!
ReplyDeleteYea Carole Hermann and FATE!
ReplyDeleteGood! Hope they do the right thing - or thay the courts will.
ReplyDeleteI had a cousin who was a nursing home inspector. She said the facilities always knew when they were coming and were given time to clean up and get ready.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing. For more information on nursing home negligence - see nursing home negligence.
ReplyDeleteI thought my complaint on October 2013 was too late with no response. When follow up is made, the state says they are still investigating. Unannounced yearly visit was at 15 months. I am glad that someone came forward to make the state realized what is going on. It is frustrating that nothing is resolved and the facility even resorted to reprisal. Please continue to update for developments. Thank you
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