I've noticed that many nursing home abuse cases over the past few weeks have been occurring in the U.K. Just today, a story came across the wires that really got my attention.

Mary Devine was a resident of Greenbank Nursing Home when she broke her neck after falling from her wheelchair. She later died of pneumonia caused by complications. She was 89-years-old when she was admitted to the nursing home in 2002. Her relatives said that it was just too difficult to care for her.

An investigator determined that footrests and a seatbelt would have saved Mrs. Devine's life, in this case. Evidence showed that footrests fitted to the wheelchair acted as a counterforce by lifting the feet off of the ground and throwing back the patient's center of gravity.

The investigator also pointed out that there was evidence from the nursing home management and staff that the training of the staff prior to the accident didn't include safe transporting of residents in wheelchairs or the use of footrests and seat belts.

When asked to comment, the director of the nursing home said "We will look at the [findings] thoroughly and make sure all lessons that can be learned from it have been learned."

What??

What does that mean? Are they actually going to let them get away with nursing home abuse? I don't get it.

That sort of event would not be lightly glossed over here in the states.

I've spent the majority of my career fighting for the rights of victims of abuse, and I can tell you right now that these institutions are being held accountable.

If someone you care about has been the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, contact a nursing home abuse attorney right away.