New York Times Investigation Reveals Abuse in State Institutions
The New York Times recently published a report about an ongoing investigation they have been conducting on several state institutions in New York that care for the developmentally disabled—people affected by conditions such as cerebral palsy, autism, and Down syndrome. The investigation reveals numerous cases where institutions knowingly hired unqualified employees, ignored complaints by concerned workers, and failed to examine allegations of abuse and neglect. There are nine of these types of institutions in New York and since 2005, seven of them have failed inspections by the State Health Department and one was closed down entirely. As a result of the Times investigation, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo demanded the resignation of the commissioner of the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, the administration that runs the institutions.
In a particularly heart-breaking story, a 13-year-old autistic boy was crushed and suffocated in the back of a van while being improperly restrained by an employee of one of the institutions. The employee had a previous criminal record and been working for 15 straight days without a day off when the incident occurred. The driver of the van, who did nothing to help the boy, had been fired from four different care facilities before being hired at this particular institution. The employee was later convicted of manslaughter and the driver pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide.
The families of disabled individuals trust the institutions that care for their loved ones to provide a safe and healthy environment. Unfortunately, abuse and neglect can happen in any New York assisted living facility. If you believe that your loved one is being abused or neglected, call the experienced New York personal injury lawyers at Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro today at 1-212-222-4336.
