Los Angeles County officials are investigating allegations that certain staff members at the Olive View-UCLA Medical Center took gifts from nursing home employees in exchange for placing Medicare and Medi-Cal patients at their facilities. Apparently, these facilities have been cited several times this year by the California Department of Public Health for nursing home negligence. According to a news report in the Los Angeles Times, there has been a possible violation of the county's code of ethics as well as a violation of state and federal anti-kickback laws.

Officials with the county's Department of Health Services told the Times that the patients were mostly referred to Valley Manor Convalescent Hospital, Valley Palms Care Center and Sun Air Convalescent Hospital. All three are apparently for-profit nursing homes and each has been cited by the health department recently for providing substandard care. Managers of the nursing homes are saying that they have not been involved in any wrongdoing.

Unethical Practices Alleged

But the Times spoke to employees who say that the nursing homes offered several "gifts" including designer bags, tickets to costly entertainment events, gift baskets and store gift certificates. In fact, one employee said that a gift basket was delivered once at an office baby shower under the watch of a supervisor.

These allegations have not been proven yet. But they are serious allegations no doubt. Did staffers really take kickbacks and refer these patients to substandard nursing homes? Did any patients suffer serious personal injuries as a result of the substandard care he or she received? Did supervisors know about this unethical and criminal practice, if it in fact occurred? How many employees were involved? I trust the district attorney will also get involved in the case at some point and decide whether to press criminal charges against the hospital, its staff and the nursing homes said to have been involved.

Finding the Answers

This is deeply disturbing news indeed with the implications of an abuse of trust. Most families of patients would take the word and medical care recommendation of hospital staff. If they did send these unsuspecting patients and their families to nursing homes, knowing fully well that they would get substandard care, then that is criminal. If the allegations are true, I hope the district attorney prosecutes the involved parties to the fullest extent of the law.

If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of nursing home negligence or abuse, please contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer to find out more information about your legal rights and options.

What are some tips you would offer to those who are looking for nursing homes for their loved ones?

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is 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 us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

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