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Hi - I'm Bobby. I am an attorney that practices law in California. I represent survivors of sexual abuse and help people find justice against abuse caused by the negligence of others.
My team and I are ready to help you.
On Friday, June 28th, 2019, city officials in San Francisco announced that at least 23 incidents of patient abuse had been discovered at a local hospital, Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center. Now officials have indicated the actual number is much higher – at least 130 separate incidents of abuse.
In the initial report released about the abuse scandal at Laguna Honda, the San Francisco Department of Public Health (DPH) stated that several months-long investigations revealed that for a period of three-years, six former hospital employees abused at least 23 patients.
Our lawyers represent sexual abuse victims across a number of different case types, including hosptial, massage therapy and in church sexual abuse lawsuits. Continue reading to learn more about the Laguna Honda Hospital investigation.
Patient safety should be the top priority for medical care facilities such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers and medical clinics. Employees abusing patients at Laguna Honda Hospital are potentially traumatizing the most vulnerable petients. In some cases, the facility is partially at-fault for the abuse even though specific individuals are responsible for the assault. A Laguna Honda Hospital sexual abuse attorney is going to have the skills and resources to conduct an investigation to bring the truth to what happened.
The investigation began when officials involved in investigating a personnel complaint noted several issues that raised red flags. The DPH then immediately started their own internal investigation into the matter and was shocked by what was discovered. The abuse was both verbal and physical, with employees going so far as to sedate patients with non-prescription medications, force sexualized conversations on patients, and video and photograph ongoing abuse. Those photos and videos were shared between the involved employees. According to officials, the abuse took place in two hospital wards where patients are being treated for dementia.
Hospital officials have announced that the patients who were impacted have been treated for the abuse they suffered and their loved ones have been notified about the issue. They also stated that current employees have received additional training about abuse prevention and reporting. The hospital has also undergone changes to drug dispensing procedures and monitoring has been increased.
Now, officials have announced that additional cell phone evidence has been recovered by forensic analysts, showing that sexual abuse and privacy breaches also took place, showing that at least 130 incidents of abuse have occurred. Although the sexual abuse was not physical in nature, nude photos of patients with dementia were taken and shared. There have been no formal announcements about any criminal charges that have been filed against those involved in the abuse because the criminal investigation is ongoing.
Sadly, it’s not uncommon for predators to abuse nursing home and hospital patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s and for one very simple reason – these patients are some of the most vulnerable. Patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s that have progressed to a certain point are often able to communicate the fear and pain they are experiencing at the hands of their supposed caretakers and so are unable to report any ongoing abuse.
This is why it’s essential that hospitals take steps to protect patients. This can be done by:
If abuse does occur, a report to the police should be made so that a criminal investigation can take place, protecting future victims from abuse.
If your loved one has been abused, legal recourse could be an option. A lawsuit can be filed against both the abuser and those whose negligence allowed the abuse to occur. These lawsuits are intended to send a message to the defendants that this behavior is unacceptable. Additionally, compensation can be fought for that will help to provide proper care for the patient.
This lawsuit is entirely separate from any criminal investigation or criminal charges.
If you believe that abuse is impacting your loved one’s quality of life or have been informed that your loved one has been abused, contact a California sex abuse attorney so that legal action can be taken as quickly as possible.
