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The Citadel, a nursing home in North Carolina, is facing a massive coronavirus outbreak due to “severe systemic understaffing” at the facility, a new class action lawsuit claims.
The families of two residents of the home filed the class action lawsuit in federal court Monday naming the Citadel Salisbury LLC and executive management as defendants. The lead plaintiffs allege they paid for services that weren’t ultimately provided due to the staffing shortage, which preceded a massive coronavirus outbreak.
The class action lawsuit details advertising about the amenities the operators of the Citadel offer to prospective residents and their families; however, the plaintiffs say reality is far bleaker, with poor food, dwindling staff, and nursing home neglect.
The Citadel nursing home was the site of the largest COVID-19 outbreak in North Carolina last year, according to WBTV, with 189 COVID infections and 18 deaths reported.
“Because of the Facility’s dire conditions, it is no surprise that the Citadel Salisbury became the site of one of the earliest and largest COVID-19 outbreaks at any congregate care setting in North Carolina, as confirmed by testing of numerous residents which occurred on April 10, 2020,” states the class action lawsuit.
The plaintiffs accuse the nursing home’s operators of “poor and chaotic” management of the pandemic, pointing out that the Citadel was the focus of an open letter to the editor written by a local emergency room physician over conditions at the facility. The class action lawsuit also says that testing conducted by the local health department revealed that nearly all Citadel residents had contracted COVID-19 — resulting in many deaths.
The class action lawsuit alleges conditions at the facility were already poor before the facility was bought by Hyman and Zanziper in February 2020. After the purchase “facility conditions grew worse,” say the plaintiffs.
The class action lawsuit says that the new owners yanked paid time off and other benefits from staff, resulting in many employees leaving at the worst possible moment.
The plaintiffs say the “dire” conditions, including dirty and roach-infested facilities, poor hygiene practices, and other neglect began prior to the height of the coronavirus pandemic. The class action lawsuit filed Monday isn’t the first allegation to surface surrounding the facility.
The Citidel was accused of treating its residents poorly more than a year ago, according to court documents submitted in Rowan County, reported WBTV. These court documents accused the operators of the nursing home of failing to properly respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as failing to provide residents medications, or communicating with family members.
In a statement to WBTV regarding those allegations from family members of residents, Ashley Wilson, a representative of defendant Accordius Health, said the company was reviewing the court documents and “will continue working to address any concerns raised by residents and their families.” Wilson went on to say that the Citadel was “well staffed.”
The recently filed class action lawsuit contends otherwise and seeks to represent other residents of the Citadel and their family members. The plaintiffs are seeking damages from the nursing home and its operators, along with attorney and court fees.
Do you reside in a nursing home or assisted living facility? Are you concerned about staffing levels or other issues during the coronavirus pandemic? Tell us about it in the comment section below!
The lead plaintiffs are represented by Mona Lisa Wallace and John Hughes of Wallace & Graham, P.A.
The Citadel Nursing Home Class Action Lawsuit is Hooker, et al. v. The Citadel Salisbury LLC, et al., Case No. 1:21-cv-00384 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina.
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