Local Law Firms Home > Nursing Home Abuse News > Rhode Island Nursing Home Sued for Firing Whistleblowers The Hebert Nursing Home located in Smithfield, Rhode Island is being sued for violating the state's Whistleblowers' Protection Act by three former employees who allege they were fired for reporting abuse at the home. One of the plaintiffs is Jeanine Peterson, a registered nurse. The other two are certified nursing assistants Mary Jane Hope and Jessica Jewett. Peterson and Hope are both also from Smithfield, while Jewett is a Cranston resident. These three had reported last year that an old lady in the home's Alzheimer's wing was being repeatedly sexually abused by her own daughters. The alleged abuse victim was 89 years old and her daughters were in their 60s. The report ended up triggering state and federal investigations and moves to rescind the home's Medicaid and Medicare provider status. The Hebert Nursing Home finally agreed to a settlement wherein they implemented new measures to safeguard patients while not admitting any guilt in the specific case in question. The three whistleblowers filed their report both to the nursing home, the Smithfield Police Department and the state Dept. of Health. Since then, they allege the nursing home had tried to punish them in several ways, including harassment, reduced working hours, suspensions and attempts to get other employees to provide bad work performance reviews about the three plaintiffs. Jewett has suspended and fired, while Hope's working hours were so reduced that she could not afford to continue working. Petersen alleged that the harassment and bad work atmosphere made it impossible to continue working. The suit also alleges that the nursing home reported Peterson to the Dept. of Health for breach of confidentiality and other violations she had not committed. The Smithfield Police has referred the matter to the state Attorney General. The plaintiffs seek reinstatement of their jobs and unspecified damages, but a review at the AG's office does not support their case. Did you know? |