In a recent case of alleged Orange County, California nursing home violence, police have charged 81-year-old William Leo McDougall with one felony county of murder in the killing of 94-year-old Manh Van Nguyen. McDougall and Manh Nguyen were roommates at Palm Terrace Healthcare Center, a Laguna Woods, California nursing home. The two men were at the short-term care facility while recovering from hip surgery.
Prosecutors say that on the evening of October 1, McDougall struck Nguyen with a metal bar multiple times because he was singing in Vietnamese while in their bedroom. Nguyen was pronounced dead at the hospital. If convicted, McDougall could be sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. His arraignment is today.
Nursing Home Violence
Nursing homes are obligated to make sure that their residents are living in a safe environment where there is little risk of injury. When failure to provide that safe environment results in a patient becoming the victim of a violent crime, nursing home abuse, or nursing home neglect, the victim and his/her family may have grounds for filing an Orange County, California nursing home negligence complaint.
Unfortunately, nursing home workers and nursing home patients have been known to inflict harm on residents. According to a Cornell University study, dementia, other forms of mental illness, a violent streak, unwanted touching, or competitiveness can trigger peer to peer nursing home abuse. Residents have also been known to sexually assault or molest other patients, and residents that have died because of patient violence.
Assisted living facilities must screen prospective employees and residents. There are steps that can be taken to keep dangerous patients away from others so that they don't pose a harm to themselves or others.
Octogenarian Accused of Killing 94-Year-Old Roommate, NBC Los Angeles, October 5, 2010
81-year-old O.C. man charged with killing 94-year-old roommate at healthcare center, Los Angeles Times, October 4, 2010
Related Web Resources:
Study Details Nursing Home Violence, NPR, February 3, 2004
Aggression between nursing-home residents more common than widely believed, studies find, Cornell University, May 29, 2008
If your loved one was hurt or died because of Orange County, California nursing home abuse or neglect or patient violence, contact our Laguna Woods nursing home negligence law firm today.
