Death from Nursing Home Abuse: California Nursing Home Abuse

Written by Adam Peck Category: Elder Law January 26th, 2013 1 min read

PICO RIVERA, Calif. (AP) – A Pico Rivera nursing home where a patient was fatally burned has received the state’s most severe penalty.

The California Department of Public Health announced Wednesday that it issued a citation and a $100,000 fine to the Riviera Healthcare Center.

Regulators say a resident confined to a wheelchair at the nursing home set himself on fire last Dec. 23 while trying to light a cigarette in an unsupervised dining room. He was burned over 40% of his body and died 18 days later.

Authorities said the home allowed the man to smoke without a safety plan and that staff failed to use a nearby fire blanket and extinguisher to put out the flames.

A call seeking comment from the nursing home wasn’t immediately returned.

Steven Peck’s Premier Legal has attorneys that specialize in nursing home abuse and neglect matters, call us toll free at 1-866-999-9085 for a free initial consultation

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Written by Adam Peck

Expertise: Personal Injury

Adam J. Peck, ESQ is a principal with Peck Law Group, APC. In 2008, Mr. Adam Peck received his Juris Doctorate from Whittier Law School where he graduated Cum Laude. His practice is primarily dedicated to representing Elders, Dependent Adults, along with their loved ones and family members, who have suffered horrific personal injuries.