State pays $2 million abuse settlement in 2019 leading to victim’s death in hospital due to staff withholding medicine.
In 2019, the state of New York reached a settlement to pay $2 million to each of the families of three developmentally disabled residents of a group home who were subjected to abuse and mistreatment by staff members. The workers at the facility were reported to have physically assaulted and humiliated the residents, referring to the home as the “Bronx Zoo.” Despite the settlement, one of the residents, a 52-year-old woman known as Z.O., continued to face mistreatment. Court documents revealed that staff members retaliated against Z.O. by withholding her necessary constipation medication, leading to her eventual death from complications related to severe bowel obstruction.
Years after the initial settlement, the state has agreed to pay an additional $10 million to Z.O.’s family as compensation for the tragic outcome. The lawyer representing the family emphasized that the state had failed to protect Z.O. and hold the responsible staff members accountable for their actions. The state’s Office for People With Developmental Disabilities expressed deep regret over the loss of Z.O. and stated that their primary focus is on providing quality services and ensuring the safety of individuals in their care.
This case highlights the importance of safeguarding the well-being of vulnerable populations and holding institutions accountable for any negligence or mistreatment that may occur. It serves as a reminder of the need for strict oversight and enforcement of regulations to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
Source: The NY Times
