Nursing home residents in Burlington County rely on certified nursing assistants for help with everyday tasks, such as bathing, changing clothes and taking their medicine. While being a nursing assistant is a tough job, there is no excuse for mistreating or abusing vulnerable residents.
Charged with sexual abuse of five residents
In a shocking example from out of state, two women have been charged with sexually abusing five residents of the nursing home where they formerly worked. Though details about the abuse are not currently available, the charges against them include indecent exposure, voyeurism and public lewdness. Both are charged with first-degree felonies, further suggesting the extent of the alleged abuse.
The nursing home where the nursing assistants worked has fired them. In a statement, the facility called the charges “reprehensible” and said it acted to terminate the assistants and notify families of residents as soon as it heard of the accusations.
Examples of sexual abuse of nursing home residents
People with limited mobility, cognition and ability to communicate can be unable to resist when a predator commits sexual abuse against them. Sexual abuse in a long-term care facility can range from rape to groping. They can force a resident into humiliating poses or remove their clothing against the resident’s will. While we do not know what the nursing assistants in this case are specifically accused of doing, the severity of the charges and the number of alleged victims suggest that their misconduct was more than a “minor” prank or one-time incident.
Whatever the details, sexual abuse cannot be allowed by a nursing home’s ownership or management. If negligence in hiring, training or oversight led to or contributed to a resident’s victimization, the victim and their family could have a legal claim for compensation against the facility.
To learn more about recovering compensation for a loved one’s abuse or neglect suffered at a nursing home, contact an experienced personal injury attorney in your area.