Beyond Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Beyond Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

Penny Whitlock, the former director of nursing at Woodstock Residence nursing center, has been charged with obstruction of justice and criminal neglect. While this series of incidents is tragic, a Chicago personal injury attorney can tell you that nursing home neglect occurs too often. The charges against Whitlock are the result of a 15-month investigation into six suspicious deaths in 2006 at Woodstock Residence which included exhuming the remains of three former patients who passed away during the period in question.

Any experienced Chicago personal injury attorney can tell you from extensive experience with nursing home neglect that unfortunately patients can sometimes be abused or neglected by the staff who are charged with their care.

According to the Chicago Sun Times’ coverage of the trial, “despite being nursing director, Whitlock never tried to stop Marty Himebaugh from allegedly overmedicating patients at a Woodstock nursing home, including at least one who died from a morphine overdose, prosecutors contended.” Additionally, the “Angel of Death” moniker was allegedly coined by the former nursing director.

Whitlock’s attorney has denied that she ever acted improperly or neglected patients. If convicted of these charges, Whitlock may face up to three years in prison. Marty Himebaugh is currently awaiting trial on charges of improperly dispensing morphine and criminal neglect.

Chicago Personal Injury Attorneys and Nursing Home Neglect

Our Chicago Personal Injury Attorneys are horrified that nursing home neglect and abuse are a problem at many nursing care facilities, particularly when it results in wrongful death. Nursing care facilities should be held liable for Chicago nursing home negligence if they are unwilling or unable to prevent abuse and neglect incidents from happening and a patient is injured or dies as a result.