Husband & Wife Law Team Saddened About Recent Abuse Allegations at White Dove Care Home

Arizona nursing home neglect attorneys, Mark and Alexis Breyer, extend sympathies to the families affected by the alleged poor care at White Dove Care Home in Tucson.

When a family makes the difficult decision to move an aging or ill loved one into a nursing home, it is understandable to trust the facility to care for the loved one as well as, if not better, than the family could have done.

According to the Arizona Daily Star, owned and operated by a mother and son team, White Dove Care Home housed eight elderly patients, aged 60-91 years. A red flag was raised when one of the patients revealed she was scared to return to the home from the hospital, sharing with her case worker that she had been pushed to the ground, called names, and denied food. She said the residents were forced to stay outside each day after breakfast and lunch, no matter the weather. Other residents had similar complaints, based on the news report.

The news story highlights that the son, Ernesto Torres, has four prior felony convictions; he and his mother, Owner/Manager Patricia Ybarra, have been booked into jail, each on three counts of domestic violence/vulnerable adult abuse, and eight counts domestic violence/emotional abuse.

A Voice for Victims

"Sadly, this situation is something that happens more often than we think, and goes either unnoticed or unreported," shares injury lawyer Mark Breyer.

Nursing home abuse attorneys, Husband & Wife Law Team, Mark and Alexis Breyer, help people after an accident has caused injury or devastating loss.

"Thankfully, no life threatening injuries were suffered due to the alleged abuse at White Dove Care Home, but the emotional injuries will be difficult enough to overcome for many," Alexis Breyer sympathizes. "This just goes to show you, always voice your concerns; you don’t have to live in a situation like that."

The Husband & Wife Law Team share these tips for families who suspect the staff at an assisted living or nursing home may be abusing a beloved family member or friend.

• Keep calm. While suspicions are likely more than enough to be enraging, try to take a step back and approach the situation logically and level-headedly.
• Report the situation to the administrator. As with any potential injury or negligence claim, everything must be documented, in writing. If there is a life or death situation, such as if medication is being withheld or purposefully administered incorrectly, or if it is an administrator committing the wrongdoing, go straight to the police.
• Contact Adult Protective Services, the Department of Health Services, and any other agencies that may conduct inspections, grant licenses, and complete investigations.
• Dealing with a potential elder abuse or nursing home abuse case can be disheartening; why would someone treat someone else in such a way? The answer is unclear, but sometimes, fault can be placed on a facility’s hiring practices. Allowing individuals with prior convictions to work directly with residents, hiring people with little to no compassion for the elderly, and poor staff training can all lead to a less than ideal place for all residents and family members.

When to Call an Attorney

There is typically no charge in calling a personal injury attorney and getting questions addressed. The last thing a person wants to happen is for too much time to pass by, and the opportunity for a potential claim to be missed. Client reviews are usually the most telling when looking at an attorney’s skill and attention.

Certified Specialist in personal injury and wrongful death law, Mark Breyer, and his wife, attorney Alexis Breyer, help all who have been injured due to the negligence of someone else. Mark was named top 5 injury lawyer two years running by North Valley Magazine, and the firm was recognized as Law Firm of the Month and Attorneys of the Month by Attorney at Law Magazine. The Husband & Wife Law Team offers free consultations and are always available to answer questions for clients.

* * *