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New Mexico Attorney General, Hector Balderas, filed a lawsuit against a major nursing home chain. Preferred Care Partners Management Group is based in Texas but operates in 11 states including Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and New Mexico.
The suit claims understaffing made it impossible to address resident needs, with residents left overnight in soiled diapers and beds soaked with urine, while other fell and suffered injury after their calls were unanswered. New Mexico’s lawsuit calculates how long it takes to complete basic care tasks, from helping residents to the bathroom to feeding and bathing them. They then take the total minutes required to properly care for residents and compare them with the actual number of hours worked.
In doing this, the state found deficiencies by as much as 50 percent in the total hours worked by nursing assistants. Preferred Care told The Associated Press in a statement that it stands by the care provided to their residents in its New Mexico facilities and that the company’s staff is compassionate. Balderas, who took office in January, reviewed the merits of the case and announced earlier this week they’d pursue the lawsuit.
Balderas said going after the nursing homes to ensure residents, the state and the federal government get what they’re paying for in terms of quality care. The complain states that since 2008, the nursing homes generated more than $236 million in revenue. Of that, the state and federal government paid 80 percent through Medicare and Medicaid. To get that money, the nursing homes must comply with federal and state regulations.
Cathedral Rock Corp. is also named in New Mexico’s lawsuit. It operated several nursing homes in New Mexico before selling them to Preferred Care in 2012.
So many cases of abuse and neglect go untold every year. However, this is a great example as to why your story should be told. The more attention that’s given to the problems in nursing homes, particularly chains, the closer we come to better care for our loved ones. If you suspect your elderly loved one is being abused or neglected, read our blog on what signs to look for now. If you’re looking for tips on how to find a safe nursing home, click here.
The personal injury attorneys in Phoenix, Arizona, at Knapp & Roberts have the compassion and trial lawyer skills to tell your story to a jury. We will get to know you and your family so that we can help the jury understand what has happened to you and your family and how it has changed your lives. Obtain the compensation necessary for the injuries and losses you have suffered.
