Jeff DowneyThank you for visiting my website. Anyone who is considering the admission of a loved one into a nursing home should undertake a review of surveys or other data that will provide a snapshot of some of the issues or problems that the facility is experiencing. Keep in mind that this information can be limited … Read more →
According to a new study published in July 2020 by health researchers for Rep. Richard Neal (D-Mass.), citations for over-prescribing anti-psychotic drugs are down in the Trump administration. The study’s lead author, Rachel Dolan, concluded that citations for prescribing unnecessary antipsychotic drugs to nursing home residents were shockingly low during the first half of the … Read more →
On July 18, 2020, the New York Post reported one of the first Covid-19 lawsuits filed against a skilled nursing facility in Queens, N.Y. The lawsuit, filed by Janice Esposito for the death of her husband, alleges that after the patient showed symptoms of Covid, the doctor did not exam him until 5 days later. … Read more →
The Washington Post reported on July 7, 2020, that the Southeastern Veterans Center in Pennsylvania routinely administered hydroxychloroquine to patients, even those patients who had not been tested for covid-19. This is an off-label use of a medication that has not yet shown to be effective against Covid-19. Last month the President had indicated that … Read more →
On June 2, 2020, Virginia attorney Jeffrey J. Downey presented one of the first legal seminars addressing potential legal liability for patients who contract Covid-19 while at a nursing homes or assisted living facilities. The presentation was sponsored by the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association. “This was one of my first Zoom meetings” explained Downey, “but … Read more →
In light of George Floyd killing Americans are taking a long overdue reexamination of violent police tactics and demanding reform. As it turns out, Courts are also reexamining some of the precedents that give police offices certain immunities or protections from civil liability. In the Estate of Jones v. City of Martinsburg the Fourth Circuit … Read more →
WAMU recently reported that eight Virginia motor vehicle operators were cited for going over 100 mph on Saturday night, including one driver who was traveling at some 132 mph on I-95. That’s more than twice the posted speed limit. According to State Police, excessive speed is part of a dangerous and potentially fatal trend, says … Read more →
Nursing homes throughout the Country have had mixed results in addressing the Covid-19 virus. Some have contained the virus and have experienced no deaths, while others have permitted a majority of their residents to be infected with the virus. Mortality rates are disturbingly high already. State Surveyors are visiting most nursing homes to assess their … Read more →
Richmond Circuit Court Allows Punitive Damages Against Home Health Care Companies for failure to prevent pressure sores Sloan v. Encompass Home Health of Mid Atlantic, Law CL 192153 As many elders choose to remain at home when they get sick, they are increasingly turning to home health care agencies. Many agencies promise to provide in home nursing … Read more →
Governments throughout the world have been struggling to predict the extent of the outbreak and come up with plans to contain Covid 19. Many governments, including the U.S., have relied upon a study published recently from the Imperial College Covid-19 response team, who has undertaken some initial modeling. The article provides some troubling analysis on … Read more →