Trigger warning: This Horror Story involves the abuse of vulnerable people.
Six nursing home employees are accused of entering a 76-year-old patient’s room and forcing him to remove his clothes, exposing himself while the workers broadcast the episode on Facebook Live, according to a lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court
HIPAA Violation Triggered While Broadcasting Elder Abuse
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the lawsuit, filed on behalf of the patient now identified as “Reggie Doe,” nursing home employees can be heard, in the video, taunting Doe, saying “Reggie, take off your pants.”
Doe suffered from dementia and was recovering from a stroke when the attack occurred.
HIPAA Violations Stem From Act of Elder Abuse
Aside from the blatant violations of the Nursing Home Care Act, Doe’s protected health information was shared during the broadcast when employees displayed his face and shared his name on camera. It is illegal to share protected health information with unauthorized people.
The lawsuit, filed by Doe’s family, seeks $50,000 in punitive damages against Holland Home, South Holland Home LLC and GS Healthcare Management LLC.