Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Homicide by decubitus ulcers.

Vincent J M Di Maio1, Theresa G Di Maio

  • 1Medical Examiner's Office of Bexar County, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA. dimaio@co.bexar.tx.us

The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology
|April 16, 2002
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

A Reevaluation of the Death of Vincent van Gogh: Suicide or Murder? The Need for a Definitive Autopsy.

The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology·2020
Same author

Commentary on: "Elevated morphine concentrations determined during infant death investigations: artifacts of withdrawal of care".

Journal of forensic sciences·2009
Same author

Repeat sudden unexpected infant deaths.

Lancet (London, England)·2005
Same journal

Fatal Case of Severe Meconium Aspiration Syndrome in a Neonate Following Out-of-Hospital Water Birth: A Case Report With Brief Review of Literature.

The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology·2026
Same journal

A Retrospective, Forensic, and Epidemiological Analysis of Reported Rabies-Related Deaths in Şanlıurfa Province, 2012-2023.

The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology·2026
Same journal

Fatal Sigmoidorectal Intussusception Associated With a Colonic Vascular Lesion Showing AVM-Like Features: A Rare Case.

The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology·2026
Same journal

The Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Suicide by Hanging: A Retrospective Forensic Assessment Based on Autopsies in Türkiye.

The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology·2026
Same journal

Cardiac Rupture Complicating Acute and Subacute Myocardial Infarction at Forensic Autopsy.

The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology·2026
Same journal

Heart Disease in Arrest-Related Death.

The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology·2026
See all related articles

Nursing homes face increasing scrutiny for patient care, particularly pressure sores. Criminal charges, including manslaughter, are now possible for severe neglect leading to patient death.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Law
  • Geriatric Care
  • Public Health Policy

Background:

  • Historically, nursing home neglect cases resulted in civil lawsuits or administrative penalties.
  • Government agencies are intensifying enforcement regarding decubitus ulcers (pressure sores) in long-term care facilities.

Observation:

  • A shift towards criminal prosecution for severe cases of nursing home neglect is emerging.
  • The State of Hawaii has pioneered this approach, prosecuting individuals for patient deaths linked to untreated pressure sores.

Findings:

  • In 2000, Hawaii convicted a care home operator of manslaughter for failing to seek medical help for a patient's progressing pressure sores.
  • This case highlights the potential for criminal liability when neglect of pressure sores leads to fatal outcomes.

Related Experiment Videos

Implications:

  • This legal precedent signals a potential rise in criminal charges against nursing homes and staff for patient neglect.
  • Increased accountability may drive improvements in patient care standards and pressure ulcer prevention in nursing homes.
  • Families and regulatory bodies now have stronger legal recourse for severe instances of nursing home neglect.