Experienced Attorneys Protecting the Rights of the Neglected and Abused
The Nursing Home Law Center is committed to providing the legal resources necessary to hold negligent facilities accountable.
Introduction to CommuniCare Health
CommuniCare Health Centers is a large skilled nursing provider chain serving six states. It manages approximately 80 long-term health care centers, offering post-acute services, such as assisted living, skilled nursing rehabilitation, long-term care, and independent rehabilitation services.
Stephen L Rosedale founded CommuniCare Health in 1984, and the company remains family-owned. CommuniCare has been marketed as a family-owned company offering caring communities to families who need long-term care.
However, CommuniCare Health Centers have been at the center of a few lawsuits, including negligence and wrongful death. Various employees have also filed complaints against the CommuniCare family company for violating Fair Labor standards.
Ratings and Performance
Medicare ratings offer additional insight into the CommuniCare family company. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rates healthcare centers based on health inspections, staffing levels, and overall quality of care. CommuniCare Health Centers have received thousands of CMS citations across its clinic locations, contributing to many low ratings.
The healthcare communities owned and operated by the CommuniCare family have ratings ranging from one to five stars. A one-star rating indicates that the facility performs well below expected standards of care, whereas a five-star rating exceeds care standards. Reviewing CMS ratings before choosing a health care center can help clients ensure good and safe care.
Some of the lowest healthcare clinics owned by the CommuniCare family include Allison Point Healthcare Center (2 stars), Bridgewater Healthcare Center (2 stars), Advanced Healthcare Center (1 star), and Brookside Healthcare Center (2 stars). Companies with consistently low ratings could be subject to fines and a loss of Medicare or Medicaid funding.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of abuse or negligence while under the care of CommuniCare Health Systems, you deserve justice. The Nursing Home Law Center offers compassionate service to clients and their families impacted by CommuniCare abuse or negligence.
Complaints and Legal Actions Against CommuniCare Health
The CommuniCare family company can be found in six U.S. states, with clinic locations in Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia. CommuniCare Health Systems locations operate under different names based on their locations. Here are a few recent complaints and lawsuits against CommuniCare Health Center locations.
Maryland Attorney General Medicaid Fraud and Vulnerable Victims Unit Report
The Maryland Attorney General found evidence of substandard care at a CommuniCare Health center in Ellicott, Maryland, which opened an official investigation. The Attorney General’s officer found that Ellicott City Healthcare Center committed the following violations:
- Understaffed shifts
- Over 100 falls requiring emergency care
- 29 serious regulatory violations affecting patient care
- Missing medical information in patient records
The state used the False Claims Act for the first time, citing a history of medication errors, unsupervised falls, and understaffing violations. The location was ordered to pay $400,000 and undergo third-party supervision for three years.
Class Action Lawsuit for Violating Employment Laws
A class action lawsuit was filed against CommuniCare Health Centers in 2023, specifically citing Elkhart HealthCare Center and Portage Manor residents. The lawsuit claims the employment agreement CommuniCare Health Centers uses is indentured servitude and violates the Fair Labor Standards Act and Trafficking Victims Protection Act.
Previous employees claim they were given too many patients to provide sufficient care, among other employment violations. Employees cite staff-to-resident ratios as high as 39 to 1.
No other lawsuits could be found against CommuniCare companies.
Inspection and Deficiency Reports at CommuniCare Health Centers
CMS completes annual inspections of long-term care communities. During these inspections, various services and levels of care are evaluated, including adherence to state and federal guidelines, quality of employees, availability of programs, and the overall care of patients.
CommuniCare Health Centers have received numerous deficiencies during routine inspections. Here are a few of the most recent:
- Allison Point Healthcare Center in Indianapolis, Indiana [9/1/2024] – Issue Summary:
- Violation: Over 70 violations were recently cited against Allison Point Healthcare Center.
- Example: Some of the most recent citations included failure to provide pharmaceutical services that meet the needs of each resident and for the safe, appropriate administration of IV fluids for residents when needed.
- Bridgewater Healthcare Center in Carmel, Indiana [1/5/2024] – Issue Summary:
- Violation: Three recent violations were cited at Bridgwater Healthcare Center.
- Example: Failure to honor the resident’s right to a dignified existence or communication while honoring or valuing the patient’s input. Failure to provide the appropriate colostomy, urostomy, or ileostomy care services. Failure to provide pharmaceutical services that meet the needs of residents.
- Advanced Healthcare Center in Toledo, Ohio [1/9/2024] – Issue Summary:
- Violation: Over 50 recent citations against Advanced Healthcare Center.
- Example: Failure to keep residents’ personal and medical records private and confidential, failure to ensure residents are free from medication errors, failure to provide timely notification to residents before discharge, and failure to assess residents’ condition when admitted or at least every 12 months.
- Brookside Healthcare Center in Cincinnati, Ohio [9/1/2024] – Issue Summary:
- Violation: Over 20 recent citations against Brookside Healthcare Center.
- Example: Various deficiencies against the CommuniCare family company, including resident assessment and care planning, qualify of life and care, nutritional and dietary, and resident rights.
Free Case Evaluation
CommuniCare Health Centers continues to receive citations at many of its locations. Failing to uphold resident’s rights and offer them access to the long-term care they need and deserve can lead to an increased risk of injury. A nursing home negligence attorney can help families seek justice and compensation after their loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect.
Our nursing home lawyers handle the investigation, including collecting evidence to prove wrongdoing. Whether the healthcare facility failed to provide your family member with a safe environment or access to around-the-clock nurses as needed, we’ll work hard to ensure the negligent nursing home is held accountable.
Important Steps To Take After Experiencing Nursing Home Abuse
If you believe that your family member may be the victim of nursing home neglect, it’s crucial to take action immediately. The health outcomes of nursing home abuse can be improved with the following steps:
- Ensure Safety: Your family member’s safety is a priority. Report the abuse or neglect to the local authorities. Doing so will create an official investigation into the clinic’s care.
- Seek Medical Care: Ensure your loved one has access to medical care following an abusive or neglectful environment. Keep a log of all medical services received.
- Gather Evidence: When possible, gather evidence to support the negligent health care, including photographs of injuries, witness statements, or medical records.
- Contact a Lawyer: Our legal services help long-term care patients seek justice following an abusive or negligent environment.
Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Statute of Limitations
Considering your legal options promptly is crucial when dealing with negligent healthcare services like the CommuniCare family company. Every state has a statute of limitations in place that limits how long victims have to file a lawsuit. Additionally, by considering your legal options, you may be able to recover the compensation you and your family deserve to access better healthcare services.
No Fee Unless We Win Your Case
The Nursing Home Law Center proudly provides legal services to victims of nursing home or long-term care abuse or neglect. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you never owe for our services unless we win your claim. We treat our clients with the respect they deserve, creating a partnership that aims to serve justice.
Long-term care communities should proudly provide patients access to health care services, nutritional meals, and exceptional nursing service. Clinics and facilities should also be risk-free, keeping patients safe. When long-term communities fail to meet state and federal standards, the Nursing Home Law Center is here to serve you with a compassionate, dedicated legal service.
Contact the Nursing Home Law Center today for a free consultation at (800) 926-7565. Fill out our online form to learn more about our services and have a lawyer contact you.