The Hammonton Center Took Plenty of Money While Ignoring Their Residents

A recent news article is shedding light on family members forced to watch their loved ones’ health decline while living or spending time in long-term care facilities; examples include rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and more.

Unfortunately, this is an ongoing issue that many have experienced for years, making people hesitant or even afraid to rely on long-term care facilities that are meant to  provide care when the family is unable to. If this happened to you and your family, know that there are legal options available to hold the facility accountable for their actions.

Experiencing a loved ones’ health decline

According to an article published in The Press of Atlantic City, several people have come forward and provided details about the harsh conditions and treatment of their loved ones during their time in a long-term care facility in New Jersey. One of the first people mentioned in the article is Maria Lindsay, a 72-year-old placed in the Hammonton Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare at the beginning of 2020. She is described as an elderly lady who was very involved with her family, attended every event her children and grandchildren participated in, and was generally healthy prior to 2020.

Lindsay developed a urinary tract infection and was taken to the hospital in 2020, which is how she ended up in the center. The hospital treated her infection and suggested that she spend some time at the Hammonton Center, most likely to ensure that the infection was completely gone. She was not expected to be there permanently, but her family said that her health began to deteriorate quickly while at the facility. Some of the negligent acts that happened during Lindsay’s time in the facility included:

• An improperly placed catheter
• The wrong medications being given
• Inability to drink or eat, leading to malnourishment and dehydration
• Ignored lab results
• Lack of attention from staff members

Michele Abbamondi, Lindsay’s daughter, stated, “You could see her decline every time we visited her. Understaffed is an understatement. She never came back to the way she was the day she walked in that place.” The breaking point was when Lindsay developed acute kidney failure, and the nursing home still delayed sending her to the emergency room for the condition. She was eventually sent to a different nursing home, where she passed away a few months later. The family blames Hammonton Center for Lindsay’s deteriorating health, which they believe led to her death.

The next person mentioned in the article is Barbara Ann Heritage, who spent time at the Hammonton Center as well. Her granddaughter, Tina DeSilvio, describes what she saw when she visited the long-term care facility as “atrocious.” She was shocked to find her grandmother “slumped over in a wheelchair, completely alone in the hallway.” She also said that her grandmother experienced tremendous amounts of “pain and agony,” because the staff did not administer the morphine they were supposed to give to her grandmother. Heritage was a resident at Hammonton Center in June 2023, when New Jersey health inspectors determined a safety threat at the facility and would not allow any new patients to be admitted. DeSilvio stated that she lost sleep during this time, worrying about her grandmother and the many other residents staying at the center.

Another person mentioned in the article is Freddie Sykes, a resident at the Hammonton Center in 2019. His daughter, Barbara Rogers, described the horrible treatment that her father went through while there. For example, staff failed to move him to prevent bedsores, and even confused him with a different patient supposed to undergo a medical procedure; Sykes was not provided with any food or beverages for the entire day. Rodgers confronted the staff, explained that they had the wrong patient, and demanded that they give her dad food right away.

Unfortunately, Sykes developed a very large bedsore on his backside that never properly healed. As a result, he was in excruciating pain all the time, which Rodgers describes as “total neglect.” In September 2019, he died at the facility. Rodgers stated, “He walked in there, and he didn’t walk out.”

Rights of residents and patients in long-term care facilities

If your loved one is a resident or patient in a long-term care facility, they have certain legal rights granted by the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act. Some of these rights include:

• The right to be treated with respect and dignity
• The freedom to not be abused, neglected, or mistreated
• The right to be free of any physical restraints
• The right to privacy
• The right to decline any medical treatment or medications
• The right to handle their own finances or request someone to handle their finances for them
• The right to a safe and comfortable environment
• The right to be informed about their medical conditions
• The right to get medical attention from a doctor of their choice
• The right to choose their own activities and schedule

N.J.A.C. § 8:36-4.1 also provides a detailed list of the rights for New Jersey patients and residents in long-term care facilities.

What should I do if I suspect neglect or mistreatment in a Cherry Hill long-term care facility?

If you believe that your family member is being neglected or mistreated in a long-term care facility, it is crucial that you take action as quickly as possible. Here are seven steps you should take:

1. Take photos and videos of anything out of the ordinary that you see (injuries, neglect, being left alone, dirty conditions, etc.).
2. Collect medical records and speak to your loved one’s doctor about any new health-related symptoms or conditions.
3. Write down every detail that you notice as well as any complaints from your loved one.
4. Inform the nursing home administration about your concerns.
5. Report the incident to law enforcement if you think something unlawful has happened.
6. File a report with the New Jersey Department of Health.
7. Hire a Cherry Hill nursing home abuse lawyer right away to get justice for your loved one.

Can I file a long-term facility or nursing home negligence lawsuit?

If your family member has been mistreated, abused, or neglected in any way by a long-term care facility or nursing home in Cherry Hill, you can file a lawsuit against the company. However, you must be able to prove that your family member suffered injuries or other losses due to the actions of the facility. There could also be other parties responsible for the harm that your loved one endured. For example, you may be able to pursue a claim against a worker, the facility’s manager or administrator, or the owners and operators of the facility.

Do you believe that your loved one’s rights were violated by a nursing home? If so, the Cherry Hill nursing home abuse attorneys at Ferrara & Gable are here to help. Watching your family member’s health decline can be overwhelming and frustrating. That is why we are dedicated to supporting you through these difficult times and holding the responsible parties accountable for their negligent behavior. Please call our office or submit our contact form to schedule a time to talk to one of our compassionate lawyers today. We are based in Cherry Hill, but our team serves all of South Jersey.