Nursing Home Sued for Hiring Strippers
A New York nursing home is in hot water after reports surfaced that the facility hired a male stripper to dance for its patients. East Neck Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, located in West Babylon, New York, reportedly hired a male stripper to perform at the facility for its elderly residents. When East Neck residents’ family members became aware of the incident, they were displeased, to say the least.
After seeing a photograph of his 85-year-old mother, Bernice Youngblood, placing money into the underwear of the male dancer who was performing at East Neck, Franklin Youngblood became furious. He confronted an East Neck employee about the situation, but the employee allegedly laughed the situation off. Mr. Youngblood has since filed suit against the facility, claiming that his mother was both humiliated and degraded.
Bernice Youngblood, a five-year resident of the nursing home facility, is suffering from dementia. In his court pleadings, Mr. Youngblood has alleged that his mother was “placed in apprehension of imminent, offensive physical harm, as she was confused and bewildered as to why a muscular, almost nude man, was approaching her and placing his body and limbs over her.” Additionally, John Ray, the lawyer who represents the Youngbloods, claims that “[Bernice Youngblood] was told by the staff that she was to put her money in his pants.”
On the other hand, the nursing home’s lawyer, Howard Fensterman, explained that it was the residents themselves that elected to hire the stripper. He states that a sixteen-member panel of residents agreed to pay the stripper $250 to perform at the facility. Fensterman claims that there was nothing inappropriate about the incident. Nevertheless, Mr. Youngblood is currently making arrangements to remove his mother from East Neck Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Those who reside in nursing homes are usually in a very vulnerable state-both physically and mentally. This can make residents easy targets, and can lead to situations of exploitation and manipulation. If you or a loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse, contact The Higgins Firm today to learn about your legal options. You may be entitled to significant compensation.
Author Bio
Jim Higgins, founder of the Higgins Firm, is a seasoned personal injury attorney with deep roots in Nashville, Tennessee. A 4th generation Nashvillian, Jim carries on the legal legacy of his father, a judge for over 30 years. After graduating from the University of Memphis School of Law, Jim’s career began on the other side of the courtroom, defending insurance companies and learning their tactics for minimizing settlements. However, he soon realized his true calling was fighting for the rights of the injured, and for the past several years, he has exclusively represented plaintiffs in personal injury cases.
Since then, his dedication and skill have earned him membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization limited to attorneys who have secured million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients. Licensed to practice in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia, Jim focuses on personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. His exceptional work has been recognized by his peers, earning him a spot on the Super Lawyers list from 2021 to 2024, a distinction awarded to only a select group of accomplished attorneys in each state.
