Images from a hidden video camera helped the son of a 78-year-old woman convince authorities that his mother was being brutally and repeatedly assaulted by nursing home staff.
The Prentiss Center for Skilled Nursing Care, run by the MetroHealth health care system, initially ignored complaints by Esther Piskor's son, and then denied there was any problem. However, according to the New York Daily News, investigations by Cleveland's WKYC television and the state Department of Health led to investigation by police.
Two nurses aides were fired and a third staff member was charged with felony assault.
Joe Piskor hid the video camera in a fan on his mother's dresser after he saw marks on his mother's face and noticed that she began to raise her hands in fear whenever he visited. However when he brought his concerns to MetroHealth they said he was "taking things out of context".
"They made me out to be the trouble maker, the complainer, the bad guy," he said.
However, the video images were impossible for others to ignore. Staff are shown "jerking the helpless granny out of her wheelchair and tossing her on the bed like a rag doll", punching her in the face, and pushing her face into a wall.
Dr. James Campbell, the chief of geriatric care at MetroHealth, says he's "incredibly sorry". However he denies that Joe Piskor's complaints were ignored, and claims the hospital and the health department "investigated the claims but didn't find anything."
Joe Piskor said the administrator of the Prentiss Center for Skilled Nursing Care told him, "…accidents happen".
By clicking the Submit button, I consent to being contacted by Select Justice, LLC, AAL Media, LLC, LeadClient, Inc. or a law firm at the number I provided. I also consent to receiving advertisements and telemarketing messages by text message or pre-recorded call, either of which may be dialed by an autodialer. I acknowledge that my consent is not required for purchase, that standard message and data rates apply, and that clicking Submit constitutes my electronic signature for my consent to being contacted and my agreement to the Terms and Conditions.
Submitting this form and the information contained therein does not establish an attorney client relationship. The information submitted may be reviewed by more than one attorney and/or law firm. By submitting this form, you understand any information received in response to this questionnaire is general information for which there will be no charge. You further acknowledge that the law for each state may vary, and therefore, you will not rely upon this information as legal advice. Since this matter may require advice regarding your home state, local counsel may be contacted for referral of this matter. By clicking Submit, you acknowledge that the information viewed is advertising and you agree to receive future advertisements from Select Justice, LLC and/or its partners.
Data Use Policy: The information you provide while taking this evaluation may be provided to an attorney or law firm representing clients in your area. An attorney or law firm may contact you by phone or text message regarding this matter. AAL Media, LLC will not provide your contact information to any unaffiliated third parties.
