Ambulette Driver Charged in Nursing Home Resident's Death
According to WABC-TV, a former ambulette driver was charged earlier this month for allegedly causing the death of an 86-year-old woman.
According to General Eric Schneiderman, the victim, a resident of the Gold Coast Care Center of the Bronx, died one month after she was seriously injured when she was ejected from her wheelchair during medical transport. The driver of the ambulette, Juan Garcia, allegedly refused to take the elderly woman to the hospital. He also allegedly failed to attach her seatbelt.
“This ambulette driver was entrusted with the well-being of his wheelchair-bound patient. Had he taken the most basic safety precautions, this vulnerable nursing home resident would not have died in this horrific way,” Attorney General Schneiderman said in a statement. “My office will hold medical providers accountable for criminal negligence.”
According to WABC, in August 2010 Garcia was taking the resident back to Gold Crest Care Center from a dialysis appointment. He allegedly admitted to investigators that he failed to buckle the resident’s seatbelt. At the intersection of Eastchester Road and Pelham Parkway, Garcia reportedly stopped the ambulette sharply and the elderly passenger was ejected from her wheelchair.
Garcia reportedly ignored the request of a nurse’s aide who was also being transported during the incident to take the victim to the hospital, instead driving back to the nursing home facility. When the woman finally received treatment, she was diagnosed with a fractured hip and underwent surgery. She died about a month after she sustained the injuries.
Garcia has been charged with negligent homicide and faces up to four years in prison.
Find Me a New York Nursing Home Attorney
This case is inexcusable. Allegations of nursing home abuse or neglect on the part of Garcia should be taken very seriously. Aside from criminal charges, Garcia, as well as the healthcare providers, may be held civilly liable for the victim’s death via a wrongful death lawsuit.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed as a result of nursing home abuse or neglect, contact our firm today at 877-699-1152 for a free and confidential consultation.
According to General Eric Schneiderman, the victim, a resident of the Gold Coast Care Center of the Bronx, died one month after she was seriously injured when she was ejected from her wheelchair during medical transport. The driver of the ambulette, Juan Garcia, allegedly refused to take the elderly woman to the hospital. He also allegedly failed to attach her seatbelt.
“This ambulette driver was entrusted with the well-being of his wheelchair-bound patient. Had he taken the most basic safety precautions, this vulnerable nursing home resident would not have died in this horrific way,” Attorney General Schneiderman said in a statement. “My office will hold medical providers accountable for criminal negligence.”
According to WABC, in August 2010 Garcia was taking the resident back to Gold Crest Care Center from a dialysis appointment. He allegedly admitted to investigators that he failed to buckle the resident’s seatbelt. At the intersection of Eastchester Road and Pelham Parkway, Garcia reportedly stopped the ambulette sharply and the elderly passenger was ejected from her wheelchair.
Garcia reportedly ignored the request of a nurse’s aide who was also being transported during the incident to take the victim to the hospital, instead driving back to the nursing home facility. When the woman finally received treatment, she was diagnosed with a fractured hip and underwent surgery. She died about a month after she sustained the injuries.
Garcia has been charged with negligent homicide and faces up to four years in prison.
Find Me a New York Nursing Home Attorney
This case is inexcusable. Allegations of nursing home abuse or neglect on the part of Garcia should be taken very seriously. Aside from criminal charges, Garcia, as well as the healthcare providers, may be held civilly liable for the victim’s death via a wrongful death lawsuit.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed as a result of nursing home abuse or neglect, contact our firm today at 877-699-1152 for a free and confidential consultation.
Adams Law Firm, P.C. – Bronx County Nursing Home Attorneys
Source: http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local/new_york&id=9328078 