Nursing home abuse is a serious problem in our society today. Our seniors, who are a vulnerable section of our population, are at risk for abuse and negligence when they enter a convalescent home, nursing home or skilled care facility. A recent CBS news article reports that a 94-year-old woman who was sexually assaulted by an employee in a Los Angeles convalescent home was awarded $12.5 million in a civil lawsuit.

Sophie Schwartz, who has dementia, was sexually assaulted in her room by Jose Vazquez, an illegal immigrant who worked at the Santa Clarita facility as an assistant. Vazquez apparently admitted that he was drunk at the time and even said that he and other workers often drank when they were on-the-job. Schwartz sued Vazquez as well as the owners of the facility, Oakdale Heights Management Corp. Vazquez was sentenced to eight years in prison for attempted rape.

Convalescent Home Held Liable

The jury found that the company deliberately falsified employment documents at the time of Vazquez's hiring and violated several state laws relating to the care of residents with dementia. Vazquez had a master key allowing him access to every resident's room. The company did no background checks on him and did not give him any training on interacting with the elderly.

First of all, my heart goes out to Sophie Schwartz and her family for having undergone this nightmare. Apparently, this facility hired an illegal immigrant. They did not check his eligibility to work in the United States. They did not do any criminal background checks. They gave him no training to work with the elderly, which is a highly specialized field. I'm glad that the jury evaluated the facts and held this facility and its administrators liable for the neglect and abuse of a frail, elderly, ill woman. Where were Vazquez's supervisors when this happened? Who was responsible for hiring this man? How many more illegal immigrants work in this facility? How many more employees work here without undergoing any type of background checks?

Pursuing Your Legal Rights

Going after these unethical businesses and hitting them in their wallet – where it hurts them the most – is the best recourse that exists for nursing home abuse victims. If you are looking to place a loved one in a nursing home or convalescent facility, it's always a good idea to take a proactive approach and do some research about the place. Visit the facility several time before making a decision and visit at different times of day. If there is something wrong in that facility, believe me, you would know. You will see the red flags. In cases involving negligence or abuse, an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer will be able to help victims and their families pursue their legal rights.

We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.