The U.S. Department of Justice has won a major victory in the battle against nursing home neglect by holding Vanguard Healthcare responsible for the inadequate care they provided to nursing home residents.

Vanguard Healthcare Sued For Grossly Substandard Care

This is the second time that Vanguard Healthcare Services has faced a legal complaint regarding their Medicare and Medicaid billing practices and the level of care they provided to patients. In 2011, the company paid $2 million in a settlement with federal prosecutors after they were accused of overcharging Medicare and Medicaid for services they didn’t provide to patients.

In this most recent lawsuit, prosecutors claimed that the company, the company’s CEO, and the former director of operations forced five company-owned locations, Boulevard, Crestview, Glen Oaks, Imperial, and Poplar Point, to submit false claims to Medicare and Medicaid. Not only were the treatments on the claim forms false, but many of the nurse and doctors signatures on the forms were forged.

In addition to submitting false claims, prosecutors also alleged that patients suffered because caretakers failed to:

• Give medications as prescribed
• Provide standard infection control (this resulted in urinary tract infections and infected wounds)
• Treat wounds and infections as ordered
• Take the steps necessary to prevent pressure wounds
• Restrained patients unnecessarily
• Meet the basic hygiene and nutrition needs of patients

The U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee stated, “Simply stated, our elderly and vulnerable citizens who can’t care for themselves deserve far better treatment than what they were subjected to by Vanguard. The substandard care that many of these facilities’ residents endured while the companies were raiding the public coffers is deplorable.”

Thousands Suffer In Nursing Homes Each Year From Neglect

Even though nursing homes exist specifically to help those who cannot care for themselves and perform the necessary daily tasks needed to stay healthy, residents still suffer from neglect and abuse. According to the National Institute on Aging, the actual number is in the hundreds of thousands, however, few cases are actually reported.

Common Forms Of Elder Abuse & Neglect

Abuse and neglect come in many forms, including:

• Physical Abuse
• Abandonment
• Emotional Abuse
• Sexual Abuse
• Financial Abuse

If your loved one is in a nursing home, it’s important to consistantly check on them to determine if they are obtaining the proper care. Many elderly are unable to speak up or if they can, they are too ashamed to. If you suspect abuse or neglect, speak with them one and one and offer to find them help. Then, speak with an experienced attorney.

Why File A Nursing Home Abuse Or Neglect Lawsuit?

Even you or a loved one have been removed from the abusive or neglectful situation, you may have the right to pursue legal action. Through a lawsuit, you may be able to recover full compensation for past and future medical treatments, physical suffering, and emotional trauma. In addition to this, you may finally feel a sense that justice has been served.

Civil lawsuits are separate from any criminal charges that may have been pressed against the nursing home or care provider.

Who Can File On The Behalf Of An Elderly Patient?

When an elderly patient is unable to pursue justice on their own behalf, their loved ones can typically do it for them. Most commonly, the spouses or children of the patient can file, however, other family members may also be eligible. Contact our law firm to learn more about your ability to pursue legal action.

PA Nursing Home Lawyers

Based in Center City Philadelphia, our legal team has decades of experience helping the elderly fight back against abuse and neglect. Call our law firm today to learn more.