By: William M. Berman, Attorney at Law
LEMON GROVE, CALIFORNIA – Lemon Grove Care & Rehabilitation Center, a 158-bed nursing home, was recently issued a “AA” citation and fined $80,000 by the state for its failure to properly supervise a 74-year-old woman who caught fire and later died. According to the California Department of Public Health, no staff members were supervising residents as they attempted to smoke in the nursing home’s designated smoking area. The woman was reportedly attempting to lite her cigarette when her jacket caught fire causing burns to her head, chest and arms. She died 10-days later.
According to the report issued by the state, the facility failed to implement “preventative measures such as routine or random monitoring by staff to ensure the resident’s safety.” Like many elderly in our state’s nursing homes, this woman suffered from memory loss, was confused and had decreased safety awareness. The nursing home has since changed its policy to require staff to supervise residents while at the designated smoking area.
Berman & Riedel, LLP, has established itself as one of the most successful elder abuse and neglect litigation firms in California. The attorneys and staff are experienced in handling these complex claims and dedicate themselves to helping victims of abuse and neglect obtain proper compensation and justice for the wrongs they have suffered.
William M. Berman is an attorney with the firm Berman & Riedel, LLP, and handles elder abuse and neglect cases throughout the State of California.
