Assisted Living Facility Abuse Allegations Halt New Admissions

The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) issued a moratorium on new admissions at Coolidge Palms Assisted Living Resort on February 5, 2016, after a resident was assaulted by a staff member.

The victim, Tresilda Schimmel, was violently attacked by a member of the facility staff on January 26, 2016. During the attack, the staff member poured a pitcher of water over Ms. Schimmel and then struck her over the head two times with it. Her injuries were so severe, she had to be taken to the hospital via ambulance, where she received staples to her head.

Attorney Nicole Kruegel at Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa is moving forward with litigation against the assisted living facility, alleging the administration actively attempted to conceal the details of the attack, including lying to Ms. Schimmel’s family regarding how she was injured, instructing facility staff to falsify reports, and failing to immediately suspend or fire the staff member who hit Ms. Schimmel.

Abuse and neglect of elderly citizens is a sad reality in South Florida where there is a growing community of seniors living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Actions taken by AHCA after this incident are indicative of the severity of the matter. AHCA stated: “no reasonable person could conclude that dousing a resident with ice water followed by striking the resident with a water pitcher are acts which are intended to ensure the safety of the residents or others from a resident’s behavior….Retaliatory physical assault, whether with criminal mens rea or thoughtless negligence, may not be tolerated.”

Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa is dedicated to protecting the rights of nursing home and assisted living facility residents throughout Florida and nationwide.

If you have questions about nursing home abuse or neglect, or if you have a family member who has been a victim of negligence, please contact Nicole Kruegel at Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa for information. To arrange a consultation, please call us at 1-800-681-8882, or visit our website today at www.dcwlaw.com.