• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
(914) 220-1086

Law Offices of Thomas L. Gallivan, PLLC

Just another WordPress site

  • Home
  • About
    • Attorney Profiles
      • Daniel F. Gallivan
      • Thomas L. Gallivan
      • James C. Freeman
      • Andrew J. Gilbride
    • Testimonials
  • Practice Areas
    • Personal Injury
      • Car Accident Lawyers
        • Lawsuits and Settlements
        • Distracted Driving Accidents
        • After a Car Accident
        • Passenger in a Car Accident
      • Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
      • Slip & Fall Lawyers
      • Truck Accident Lawyers
        • Delivery Truck Accidents
      • Wrongful Death Lawyers
      • Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
      • Uber Accident Lawyers
    • Nursing Home Abuse
      • Bedsores and Pressure Ulcers
      • Brain Bleeds
      • Bruises and Cuts
      • Elopement
      • Falls & Broken Bones
      • Group Home Abuse
      • Infections
      • Malnutrition
      • Medication Errors
      • Physical Abuse
      • Wrongful Death
    • Medical Malpractice
      • Birth Injury
      • Emergency Room Negligence
      • Failure to Diagnose
        • Stroke and Heart Attack
        • Lymphoma
        • Leukemia
        • Cancer
        • Breast Cancer
        • Colon Cancer
        • Prostate Cancer
        • Kidney Cancer
      • Hemiparesis
      • Gastric Bypass Malpractice
      • Medication Errors
      • Meningitis
      • Neurological Injuries
      • Statute of Limitations
    • Criminal Defense
  • Blog
  • Resources
    • Videos
    • Notable Cases
    • Nursing Home Citation Map
    • Nursing Home Citations
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • About
    • Attorney Profiles
      • Daniel F. Gallivan
      • Thomas L. Gallivan
      • James C. Freeman
      • Andrew J. Gilbride
    • Testimonials
  • Practice Areas
    • Personal Injury
      • Car Accident Lawyers
        • Lawsuits and Settlements
        • Distracted Driving Accidents
        • After a Car Accident
        • Passenger in a Car Accident
      • Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
      • Slip & Fall Lawyers
      • Truck Accident Lawyers
        • Delivery Truck Accidents
      • Wrongful Death Lawyers
      • Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
      • Uber Accident Lawyers
    • Nursing Home Abuse
      • Bedsores and Pressure Ulcers
      • Brain Bleeds
      • Bruises and Cuts
      • Elopement
      • Falls & Broken Bones
      • Group Home Abuse
      • Infections
      • Malnutrition
      • Medication Errors
      • Physical Abuse
      • Wrongful Death
    • Medical Malpractice
      • Birth Injury
      • Emergency Room Negligence
      • Failure to Diagnose
        • Stroke and Heart Attack
        • Lymphoma
        • Leukemia
        • Cancer
        • Breast Cancer
        • Colon Cancer
        • Prostate Cancer
        • Kidney Cancer
      • Hemiparesis
      • Gastric Bypass Malpractice
      • Medication Errors
      • Meningitis
      • Neurological Injuries
      • Statute of Limitations
    • Criminal Defense
  • Blog
  • Resources
    • Videos
    • Notable Cases
    • Nursing Home Citation Map
    • Nursing Home Citations
  • Contact Us
Call
Contact
Blog
Home  /  Coronavirus  /  Report Alleges COVID-19 Negligence at New York State Veterans’ Home

Report Alleges COVID-19 Negligence at New York State Veterans’ Home

by Law Offices of Thomas L. Gallivan, PLLC 20 May2020

New York State Veterans’ Home in St. Albans, in Queens, has violated Health Department coronavirus protocols, according to a May 5, 2020 report by THE CITY.  Facility employees told the publication that the nursing home was failing to separate roommates in cases where one had a suspected case of COVID-19; and that the nursing home was not isolating infected residents in their own section of the facility, with their own separate team of care workers.

Employees also described shortages of personal protective equipment, telling THE CITY that N95 masks were “handed out just once in late March and expected to last for weeks,” with the supplies restocked only a few weeks ago.

They also alleged that the facility was under-reporting resident deaths from COVID-19. The actual number, they said, was “at least twice or even three times the official tally of 19” by May 1, 2020, that the facility reported to the Department of Health. THE CITY notes that the facility is operated by the Department of Health, suggesting that the Department was “essentially” under-reporting the death count “to itself.”

One employee of New York State Veterans’ Home told THE CITY, “There was just no effort to try to even maintain any kind of minimizing transmission or anything… Nobody took it seriously.” Staff members described “a lack of urgency” at the nursing home as the pandemic spread, alleging that the facility employed protective measures “either too late or not at all,” and that these measure were “rarely enforced.” Employees spoke anonymously to THE CITY because the nursing home’s administrator had forbade them from responding to queries “from the media or from elected officials.”

They alleged that facility administrators at one point designed an area dedicated to sub-acute care as an isolation are for residents with COVID-19, but eventually abandoned this plan partly because of staff shortages. Residents in that unit were instead “scattered throughout the nursing home” and the section became “a temporary hold for bodies destined for a refrigeration truck” parked outside the nursing home, staffers said. Workers from the unit were “assigned to float among the remaining units,” resulting in an increased chance that the coronavirus could spread throughout the facility. Staffers said the nursing home lagged in its establishment of social distancing measures recommended by the state. For instance, the Department of Health advise on March 13 that nursing homes put an end to “group dining and recreational activities,” but the New York State Veterans Home did not inform families it was limiting—rather than canceling—such gatherings until March 20, one week after the state’s advisory. One week later, the facility informed residents’ families that it was testing three residents for COVID-19, and that it was restricting residents from exiting the facility “except for medical necessities.” Even then, according to THE CITY, recreational activities continued within resident units.

Only on April 3 did New York State Veterans’ Home start segregating resident units, according to THE CITY. Facility administrators said in a memo on that date, “The Facility is now experiencing a number of positive COVID-19 cases for residents and staff… As a precaution, we have quarantined all units and restricted all residents to their own rooms where feasible.” Still, workers allege that residents with COVID-19 were not isolated from uninfected residents in any systematic sense. One worker told THE CITY “observed a COVID-19 resident sharing a room with a man who was not showing any symptoms of the virus, but who was at high risk of succumbing to it because he had diabetes and a respiratory condition.” At the time of this observation, the worker said, the nursing home had empty rooms.

According to THE CITY, an employee of New York State Veterans’ Home filed a complaint on April 15, 2020, alleging the facility was not enforcing social distancing requirements. New York police “found no violations of the six-foot distancing rules, including within rooms, but relayed the complaint to a doctor” at the facility. State health officials assert that the nursing home followed all requirements, but did not specify when its social distancing measures were implement, or address allegations about the facility’s failure to separate infected patients from asymptomatic residents with whom they shared rooms.

That complaint also questioned the nursing home’s death count, according to THE CITY, which reports that documents posted on the facility’s website “show a discrepancy between what’s been reported to families and what’s being reported publicly” by health officials. Eight letters posted on the facility’s website, ranging from April 21 to May 4, describe a total of nine resident deaths from COVID-19, each occurring in the day preceding the letter’s posting. However, according to THE CITY, the nursing home’s “reported tally of COVID-19 deaths posted publicly” by the state from April 20 until May 1 “remained unchanged at 19.” That total was updated to 33 deaths, through May 3, on May 5. According to THE CITY, health officials did not respond to queries about the total number residents who lived at the facility “at the beginning of the month from March to May.” Employees, meanwhile, allege that there have been “numerous” uncounted deaths.

According to the facility’s Department of Health profile, New York State Veterans’ Home has received 31 citations for violations of health and safety code between 2016 and 2020. One 2018 citation found that the nursing home did not adequately maintain an infection control program. The citation states specifically that a nurse was observed wearing soiled gloves while handling sterilized supplies, then changing to a new pair of gloves without performing proper hand hygiene.

The attorneys at the Law Offices of Thomas L. Gallivan, PLLC work diligently to protect the rights of nursing home residents.  Please contact us to discuss in the event you have a potential case involving neglect or abuse.

Posted in: Coronavirus, COVID-19, Infection, Neglect, Nursing Home Abuse, Nursing Home Lawsuits, Nursing Home Violations

Primary Sidebar

Get In Touch

Practice Areas

  • Personal Injury
    • Wrongful Death
    • Motor Vehicle Accidents
    • Trucking Accidents
    • Pedestrian Accidents
    • Construction Accidents
    • Scaffolding Accidents
    • Slip, Trip & Falls (Premises Liability)
    • Negligent Supervision at a School or Day Care
    • Sidewalk Falls
    • Elevator Accidents
    • Train and Subway Accidents
  • Nursing Home Neglect & Abuse
    • Bedsores (Pressure Ulcers)
    • Falls & Fractures
    • Malnutrition and Dehydration
    • Physical and Sexual Abuse
    • Wandering & Elopement
    • Unexplained Bruises and Cuts
    • Infection
    • Choking Incidents
    • Medication Errors
    • Group Homes
    • Assisted Living Facilities
  • Criminal/DWI Defense
    • DWI (Driving While Intoxicated)
    • Criminal Defense
    • Traffic Violations
    • DMV Refusal Hearings
    • Sex Crimes
    • Shoplifting & Larceny
    • Assault & Vehicular Assault
    • Drug Possession
    • Drug Sales
    • Weapons Charges
    • Domestic Violence
    • How is a DWI Defined in New York?
    • Is the Driver’s License Confiscated Immediately Upon a DWI Arrest?
  • Medical Malpractice
    • Failure to Diagnose Cancer
    • Birth Injuries (Gynecological, Obstetrical)
    • Medication Errors
    • Surgical Errors
    • Gastric Bypass Surgery Errors
    • Emergency Room Errors
    • Failure to Diagnose Heart Attack or Stroke
    • Cerebral Palsy
    • Erbs Palsy Birth Injury
  • Trusts + Estates
    • Wills & Trusts
    • Divorce, Child Support, Custody Issues
    • Elder Law
    • Estate Planning
    • Guardianships
    • Medicaid-Planning
    • Power of Attorney / Health Care Proxy
    • Probate and Estate Administration
    • Surrogate Court Litigation
    • Real Estate
    • Business Formation
    • Wills
    • Will Contests

View All Practice Areas

View All Blogs

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

" Last year I was injured in an accident, and for the first time, needed the advice of an attorney regarding how to proceed. I was referred to Thomas Gallivan through a family member who is a lawyer in Massachusetts. I am beyond pleased with how Thomas handled my case. He was knowledgeable, professional, and although the case was not as straightforward as some, he used every resource to ensure a positive outcome. Thomas communicated with me regularly and I felt completely informed and confident in his ability. He expertly negotiated a fair settlement that I was very happy with. The entire experience was extremely positive, during a stressful time for me. Thank you Thomas. "

Melanie

" Attorney Thomas Gallivan is a wonderful attorney!! I particularly liked his professionalism, consistency, always kept us updated on the case, and available upon request. He worked extremely hard and was persistent on getting the best settlement in a timely matter. I truly appreciated his prompt responsiveness to emails and phone calls. The office staff was very pleasant and made sure to get messages to him asap. Glad we chose this law firm, would highly recommend and in the event that we ever need an attorney again, Gallivan & Gallivan would be my primary choice. "

Katherine R.

" I was a passenger on a motorcycle and ended up falling off the back of the bike due to the driver acting like an idiot. I fell off at a high rate of speed and was very banged up. Fractured wrist and road rash down my back and elbows. I am lucky I didnt die. Not knowing what to do I contacted Thomas and he could not have been anymore helpful!! He went out of his way to meet with me. He actually came to my house for the initial consultation. I know nothing about law or what my options even were. He took me through everything step by step. "

Colin W.

View All Testimonials

245 Main St Suite 450 White Plains, NY 10601

Phone:
(914) 220-1086

Fax:
(516) 394-4229

555 5th Ave 14th Floor
New York, NY 10017

Toll Free:
(855) 228-7369

(By Appointment Only)

1370 RXR Plaza
Uniondale, NY 11556

Phone:
(914) 594-6820

Fax:
(516) 394-4229

12 1st St
Riverhead, NY 11901

Phone:
(914) 825-5855

Fax:
(516) 394-4229

Personal Injury

  • Pedestrian Accidents
  • Slip & Fall Injuries
  • Wrongful Death Cases
  • Personal Injury
  • Construction Accidents
  • Scaffolding Accidents
  • Elevator Accidents
  • Subway Accidents

Nursing Home Abuse

  • Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
  • Bedsores and Pressure Ulcers
  • Brain Bleeds
  • Bruises and Cuts
  • Elopement
  • Falls & Broken Bones
  • Group Home Abuse
  • Infections
  • How to Report Nursing Home Abuse

Car Accidents

  • Car Accidents
  • Car Accident Settlements
  • Distracted Driving Accidents
  • Truck Accidents
  • Delivery Truck Accidents
  • Uber Accidents

Medical Malpractice

  • Medical Malpractice Lawyers
  • Emergency Room Negligence
  • Medication Errors
  • Neurological Injuries
  • Orthopedic Malpractice
  • Ophthalmology Errors
  • Failure to Diagnose
    • Heart Attack or Stroke
    • Leukemia
    • Cancer
    • Bladder Cancer
    • Breast Cancer
    • Colon Cancer
    • Skin Cancer

Birth Injury

  • Birth Injury Lawyers
  • Erb’s Palsy
  • Birth Asphyxia
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Sepsis Infections
  • Neonatal Infections
  • Brachial Plexus
  • Hypo-Ischemic Encephalopathy
  • Shoulder Dystocia
  • Jaundice
  • Encephalomalacia

Helpful Content

  • Stage 4 Bedsore Lawsuits and Settlements
  • Nursing Home Abuse Citation Map
  • Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
  • Riverhead NY Injury Lawyers
  • White Plains Accident Lawyers

Footer

  • Personal Injury
  • Nursing Home Abuse
  • Medical Malpractice
  • Car Accidents

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING

Copyright © 2022, Law Offices of Thomas L. Gallivan, PLLC | Sitemap