Upsetting Video Captures Elder Abuse Of Queens Stroke Victim
After disturbing video footage caught a home health aide abusing an elderly Queens stroke victim, the employee was arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a vulnerable, incompetent person. He was later released on bail, according to the NY Daily News. The elder abuse victim was 78-year-old Bentsion Murakhovsky, a Russian immigrant who is wheelchair bound and also suffers from Parkinson’s Disease.
In a desperate attempt to protect their beloved husband and grandfather, Murakhovsky’s family installed a camera after going through several home health aides sent by Personal-Touch Home Care agency. They figured the camera would help protect the frail, 115-pound senior from abusive situations, especially if the health care worker knew they were being filmed.
NY home health aide caught on camera abusing elder
Personal Touch Home Care employee Ihor Krutovskyi had disconnected the nanny cam in an apparent failed attempt to cut the feed. While he did manage to disconnect the audio, the video was left intact, thanks to a Bluetooth connection. Several days later when Murakhovsky’s granddaughter Gabrielle was reviewing the footage, she was shocked at what she found.
NBC News New York published the surveillance footage, which was filled with several alarming incidents of clear elder abuse. In one clip, Krutovsky violently grips the senior’s wrist before slamming it down. In another awful scene, the home health aide grabs Murakhovsky’s nose, pushes a napkin in his face, all while trying to force feed the disabled man.
The nanny cam footage is heartbreaking to watch and begs the question of what sort of screening methods were put in place by Personal-Touch Home Care agency to begin with. “Why would you hurt an old, sick man?” granddaughter Gabrielle asks, adding, “He’s sick as it is…He doesn’t deserve more pain.”
The anguished family has since retained a Queens elder abuse lawyer, who is filing suit against Personal-Touch Home Care’s New York City branch. “This company is supposed to be sending trained and qualified workers to help elderly disabled people like Mr. Murakhovsky, and they are getting paid a lot of money for sending unqualified workers” said the victim’s attorney.
The home health care agency operates in 11 states, where it has 50 locations. The CEO of Personal Touch Home Care, David Slifkin, called the accusations “disturbing…Even one incident of potential patient abuse is not acceptable. We exercise many precautions to prevent this type of situation from happening.”
Free consult with Queens elder abuse lawyer
At The Sanders Firm, our New York home health aide abuse lawyers believe that any form of elder abuse or neglect is inexcusable. If you suspect a loved one has been inappropriately treated or abused physically, mentally or financially, we promise to hold negligent parties accountable for their actions, whether perpetrated by nursing home employees or in-home health care aides.
Our seniors are a vulnerable population, and more often than not, are unable to express or afraid to share incidents involving abusive situations. To learn more about how our New York personal injury attorneys can help your loved one secure justice, please call our offices for a free legal consultation.
Legal recourse may extend beyond the New York courts, as our team will ensure that all financial recovery options are explored, including insurance settlements. Call 1.800 FAIR PLAY (800.324.7752) today. Resources
- NBC New York, Home Health Aide Caught on Camera Abusing 78-Year-Old Stroke Victim http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Health-Care-Aide-Abuse-Surveillance-Video-Stroke-Victim-Arrest-Personal-Touch-Queens-272005831.html
- NY Daily News, Queens home health aide caught on camera abusing stroke victim (VIDEO) http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/nanny-cam-catches-queens-home-health-aide-abuse-article-1.1909662
