Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog

Charlotte Harbor Healthcare installed four cameras in the facility nearly a year ago to help prevent theft. What they didn't tell their residents was that the cameras filmed 24 hours a day to a closed circuit television located in Administrator Thomas Bell's office. The facility also failed to obtain permission to film the residents, in violation of resident rights. The facility was caught red-handed during a recent inspection by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration during a routine inspection for mold in May 2009. A surveyor removed a ceiling panel in a resident room while searching for mold and discovered a camera. When questioned, Bell admitted that the cameras had been installed "about a year ago" to prevent or prove theft, although no problems had been reported in the rooms in which the cameras were discovered. According to Bell, the goal was to put more cameras throughout the facility. The facility faces fines up to $15,000 for the camera violations alone. During the investigation, surveyors found that recurring mold was causing problems with heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems. The maintenance director advised surveyors that the facility had received four proposals since 2007 for repairs. The Terry Law Firm is experienced in handling cases of nursing home abuse. Please contact us at (888) 317-2525 or visit us on our website at www.nursinghomejustice.com.