Listeria Symptoms, Bacteria Outbreak & Meningitis Infection

In 2006, authorities began investigating a Woodstock, IL care center after it was reported that six patients had died in unusual ways; these deaths were thought to be caused by overdoses of the powerful painkiller morphine.  Now, Marty Himebaugh, a former nurse at the nursing home facility, has pleaded guilty to felony criminal neglect.

Himebaugh, described by another worker as the “Angel of Death,” faces up to three years in prison.  The former nurse admitted recently that she had given one resident a drug that had not been prescribed to him.

When authorities first began investigating in 2006, the bodies of three former patients were eventually exhumed; a pathologist who examined the bodies came to the conclusion that one had died due to an overdose of morphine.  Himebaugh’s nursing license was suspended in 2009 by state regulators following investigations of the suspicious patient deaths.  Himebaugh worked at the Woodstock Residence nursing home.  Because she pleaded guilty, prosecutors dropped five additional felony counts against the former nurse.

Penny Whitlock, Himebaugh’s former supervisor at the facility, was acquitted of charges that she allowed Himebaugh to administer excess amounts of morphine to patients earlier this year.  While prosecutors said that the “Angel of Death” moniker had been given to Himebaugh by Whitlock, she denied ever using that phrase.

Himebaugh’s attorney said that Himebaugh admitted to administering Ativan, and anti-anxiety medication, to a male patient who was agitated even though the patient had not been prescribed the drug.  The patient suffered a head injury several hours later following a fall; the attorney contended that Himebaugh gave the patient the Ativan to help him, and that the fall could not clearly be linked to the medication.

Himebaugh is to be sentenced in December; her attorney plans to ask that she be placed on probation at that time, although she may face up to three years in prison.

Overmedicating patients is a growing problem in nursing homes today.  Some residents who suffer from dementia and other mental disorders are given medications that are not prescribed to them in order to “calm them down,” so that disruption or agitation can be avoided.  This is one form of abuse that takes place in nursing homes today.

Brown Chiari is a team of New York nursing home abuse lawyers who work aggressively to protect the rights of patients in nursing homes and their families.  Call us today for a free evaluation of your claim.

A voluntary recall has been announced by River Ranch Fresh Foods, LLC of Salinas, California after it was found that various bagged salad products could potentially be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  This recall involves 2,154 cases of the products, which were distributed in Iowa, Ohio and Pennsylvania to be sold in retail markets.  It was suspected that the salad products may be contaminated following routine random testing conducted by the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

The salad products involved in this recall include:

Farmers Market 8 oz Shredded Iceberg UPC Number 30034-30195 BEST BY 14OCT2011 A106A and A106B

Farmers Market 7 oz Parisian Blend UPC Number 30034-30259 BEST BY 14OCT2011 A106A and A106B

Farmers Market 9 oz Leafy Romaine UPC Number 30034-30364 BEST BY 14OCT2011 A106A and A106B

Farmers Market 12 oz Romaine Garden UPC Number 30034-30220 BEST BY 14OCT2011 A106A and A106B

Hy-Vee 8 oz Shredded Iceberg UPC Number 75450-12053 BEST BY 14OCT2011 A106A and A106B

Hy-Vee 12 oz American Blend UPC Number 75450-12047 BEST BY 14OCT2011 A106A and A106B

Hy-Vee 12 oz Garden Supreme UPC Number 75450-12046 BEST BY 14OCT2011 A106A and A106B

Hy-Vee 12 oz Romaine Garden UPC Number 75450-12058 BEST BY 14OCT2011 A106A and A106B

These bagged salad products were produced on September 27, 2011; all have “Best By” dates of October 14, 2011.  To date, no illnesses have been reported in association with these products.

In other news related to Listeria, the CDC has recently updated the number of confirmed ill and dead due to the Cantaloupe Listeria outbreak.  As of October 12th, 116 people across numerous states in the U.S. have become ill; one person suffered a miscarriage, and 23 have died in 12 states.  The Cantaloupe Listeria outbreak has been the largest and deadliest to hit the nation in more than 25 years.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can be deadly to young children, elderly people and individuals with a weakened immune system, such as those who have had organ transplants, are undergoing treatment for cancer or who have HIV.  Most healthy individuals experience symptoms that are short-term including stiffness, nausea, severe headache, fever, diarrhea and abdominal pain.  These symptoms may not appear for up to 2 months after consuming foods tainted with Listeria bacteria.

Brown Chiari is a team of trusted Buffalo New York injury lawyers dedicated to seeking justice for our clients.  Contact us today for a free evaluation of your case.