Introduction to Ciena Healthcare

Ciena Healthcare is a healthcare services company that manages roughly 83 nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities. This entity manages centers across several states, including Michigan, Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina, and Indiana. Ciena Healthcare Management Inc. began in 1998 and has its headquarters in Southfield, Michigan. 

This company is a national provider of skilled nursing services, rehabilitation methods, pain management, subacute care, and assisted living services. Nursing homes managed by Ciena Healthcare accept Medicare, Medicaid, and other types of insurance. Patients at these facilities typically receive high-quality care and attention, but there are always exceptions to the rule. 

Concerns Over Ciena Healthcare Facilities

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services created a five-star scoring system to assess nursing homes nationwide. This system creates an overall rating based on individual scores for health inspections, staffing, and quality measures. A three-star rating is considered average, while five stars is well above average, and one star is well below average. 

Many nursing facilities overseen by Ciena Healthcare have one or two stars for their overall scores and similar ratings in the individual categories. These ratings are based on inspections of the facilities, complaints, and violations. 

While these Ciena Healthcare institutions focus on elder care, they often fall short of expectations and open the door to abuse or neglect. If you or a family member has suffered at the hands of a Ciena Healthcare nursing home, you have the right to pursue compensation for legal damages. Contact the Nursing Home Law Center today to discuss your case. 

Legal Actions and Citations Against Ciena Healthcare

Since 2022, Ciena Healthcare facilities have received over 60 nursing home violation citations, resulting in CMS fines. These fines range from several thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands for more severe violations. This represents a concerning record for the healthcare provider as it is responsible for managing these nursing homes and protecting the health of all residents. 

Wrongful Death at The Laurels of Mt. Vernon

In Ohio, a man was admitted to a nursing home called the Laurels of Mt. Vernon in 2022. He was the victim of several fall accidents, which led to multiple hip fractures and an eventual hospitalization. The cause of death was listed as a complication from his fractured hip, which occurred during the fall that put him in the hospital. 

The lawsuit alleges that the victim failed to receive proper care and attention from employees at the nursing home, resulting in multiple falls and his eventual death [1]. 

Wrongful Death at The Laurels of Walden Park

In another wrongful death lawsuit in Ohio, a woman contracted several severe health conditions during her stay at the nursing home, including pneumonia, a systemic infection, sepsis, and multiple organ failure. The lawsuit alleges that the woman displayed signs of the infection for days, but no action was taken to treat her. 

The family of the victim only found out about her condition a day after she was taken to the hospital, during which they were told she had very little time to live. The lawsuit also claims that the nursing home failed to uphold its advertised services by maintaining a small staff to save money [2].

Inspection and Deficiency Reports for Ciena Healthcare Facilities

With many locations to manage across its network of nursing homes, Ciena Healthcare has often failed to maintain professional standards. As a result, many of the institutions under its management have failed inspections or experienced complaints from residents about abuse or neglect. Here are some notable failures by a handful of Ciena Healthcare’s nursing homes. 

The Laurels of Forest Glenn – Garner, NC

This facility has been cited for multiple violations in recent years. Several instances have involved the nursing home failing to keep the premises clear of accident hazards that could harm residents. 

It has also been accused of poor administration practices that result in inefficient resource use, which has caused immediate danger to the health and safety of residents at The Laurels of Forest Glenn.

The Laurels of Sandy Creek – Wayland, MI

At another facility, other issues have placed residents at risk. This nursing home failed to protect patients from the use of physical restraints without their expressed permission. Inappropriate use of physical restraints can damage a resident’s body and personal dignity. 

This facility is also guilty of not responding appropriately to violation allegations, resulting in ongoing issues. 

Laurels of Carson City – Carson City, MI

This Michigan nursing home has also demonstrated multiple deficiencies in recent years. First, it failed to protect residents from physical, mental, and sexual abuse. This includes physical punishment activities by the staff. 

For patients displaying symptoms of mental disorders or having a traumatic past, the nursing staff failed to provide appropriate treatment. These nursing home guests did not receive the care required by state and federal laws. 

The Laurels of Chagrin Falls – Chagrin Falls, OH

Nursing homes must provide a warm and safe environment for residents to thrive in. This facility fell short of expectations in Chagrin Falls, OH, for two primary reasons. They failed to protect all residents from physical, mental, and sexual abuse. 

Additionally, when a resident required pain management care, the facility was unable to provide the appropriate type of treatment to the individual, resulting in persistent physical pain. 

Laurels of Defiance – Defiance, OH

Families play an essential role in caring for elderly residents in nursing homes. They provide critical emotional support. However, their loved ones may be at risk when they do not get the necessary information. This facility has failed to inform families and doctors of situations that affect their residents on numerous occasions. 

Additionally, staff at this nursing home failed to protect residents from various types of abuse. 

How Nursing Home Lawyers Can Help

Holding companies like Ciena Healthcare and nursing home facilities accountable is crucial when they fail to provide a safe community for all residents and employees. 

If you or a loved one have experienced abuse or neglect in a nursing home, you can pursue legal action against the institution or managing company. Lawyers from the Nursing Home Law Center can help you build a strong case for compensation when you suffer legal damages. 

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

As part of the support team for your family member, you must pay attention to how they are treated in a skilled nursing home. Often, families are the first ones to notice and take action when abuse or neglect occurs. Here are a few signs to watch for that may indicate life in the nursing home is not ideal for your loved one:

• Sudden changes in behavior
• Unexplained injuries (bruises, broken bones, etc.)
• Fearfulness around specific staff members
• Missing belongings
• Agitation
• Depression or anxiety
• Loss of enjoyment of favored activities

The Importance of Acting Fast

Whether you or your loved one are the victim of neglect, taking action quickly is essential. The sooner you speak to a lawyer about your suspicions, the sooner an investigation can begin to protect your family member. If you notice employees at a Ciena Healthcare facility mistreating your family member, an experienced nursing home abuse lawyercan research the issue and uncover evidence to support a personal injury claim. 

Plus, if you wait to take action, the abuse could continue, or you may run into the statute of limitations in your state. 

No Upfront Costs

At the Nursing Home Law Center, we are committed to serving the needs of abuse or neglect victims and their families with compassion. Because of the abuse, you may already be facing financial challenges due to medical bills or therapy costs, and legal fees would add to that burden. Our team offers a free case evaluation so you can ask any questions about your case. 

Our team utilizes a contingency fee agreement, which means we only get paid if we win your case. The legal fees will be taken out of the settlement, so you can focus on fighting for justice and healing.

Contact the Nursing Home Law Center Team Today

Achieving justice in cases like this is difficult. These skilled nursing home locations are supposed to provide supportive and caring environments for your loved ones, and when they fall short of those standards, it can cause serious harm to innocent residents. 

Our team has the expertise to hold the Ciena Group and the individual facility accountable for failing to provide access to quality healthcare. Together, we will increase your chances of victory. 

Contact us today at 800-925-7565 or complete the online form for your free case review with an experienced attorney. 

Resources: [1] Protect Seniors – Multiple Falls Cause Fatal Outcome, [2] Protecting Seniors – Wrongful Death of the Family’s Mother,