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Do you have any recourse if your loved one is injured while in a psychiatric facility?
If your loved one is disabled due to mental illness, it may be too much to care for him or her at home. Many families turn to psychiatric facilities to care for and rehabilitate their loved ones. You would like to think that your family member is safe under the care of the institution. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. A recent lawsuit against a New Jersey psychiatric hospital is a perfect example.
Tara Murphy was admitted to Ancora Psychiatric Hospital on August 17, 2013. Her parents claim that during her stay she was abused and neglected by facility employees. Specifically, they allege that on two occasions in October 2013 that she was subjected to “extreme physical abuse” and had been injured during a fall while under staff supervision. They also claim that in November of 2013 she was abused by staff leading to “severe physical and emotional harm,” that she was injured during another fall and was negligently cared for thereafter. Their latest allegation stems from a March 2015 incident during which Tara fell from a chair and sustained serious dental injuries. It is not surprising that the Murphys are claiming intentional abuse, battery and infliction of injury, as well as the violation of Tara’s civil rights.
As it turns out, Ancora does not have a great track record. After being investigated by the Department of Justice in previous years, they are under investigation again. The Murphys have named the facility and a number of individual staff members in their lawsuit. They are seeking monetary damages.
If your loved one has been injured while under the care of a psychiatric or other type of facility, you do have rights. Contact the Essex County personal injury attorneys at Nagel Rice to discuss your options. Call us at (973) 618-0400.