Family of elderly patient says she was sexually assaulted by nurse
In one of our recent posts, we discussed an ongoing lawsuit brought by the family of a young woman who was killed while riding her bicycle in San Francisco. The police investigation turned out to be lacking; the driver involved in the accident wasn’t charged; and the family decided to bring a civil claim of wrongful death. The case is a sad reminder that families may need to take legal steps beyond a criminal investigation to hold a wrongdoer accountable.
That is the approach also taken by the family of an elderly patient in Fresno. According to their lawsuit, a hospital nurse sexually assaulted the 85-year-old woman, and administrators at the hospital should be held responsible for institutional wrongdoing. Specifically, the lawsuit claims the administrators tried to cover up the assault.
The nurse and the hospital are named in the suit, which also alleges that the elderly woman, who reportedly does not have memory problems, was placed in an “isolation room,” and her wheelchair was locked down to keep her from moving. Nurses also allegedly ignored the woman’s requests for help.
In response to news coverage of the allegations, the hospital stated that police and the California Department of Public Health investigated the claims and found them to be unsubstantiated. However, the Fresno Police Department indicated that the investigation is still open, though no one is currently facing criminal charges.
A thorough investigation will undoubtedly be necessary to prove the patient’s claims. Readers with sexual abuse concerns may want to follow this case as it proceeds.
Serving clients throughout the Greater Los Angeles and Southern California area, we represent victims in a variety of civil litigation cases. If you or a loved one has been injured, turn to an experienced Los Angeles personal injury or sexual assault lawyer.
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