Las Palomas Center Nursing Home Violations and Ratings

Las Palomas Center is one of many senior living communities near Albuquerque, NM. It is a skilled nursing facility that provides essential services for elderly patients, including long-term care, short-term care, and respite services. 

This nursing home accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and various private insurance plans. The facility is operated by Genesis Healthcare, a large entity that oversees roughly 200 nursing homes in the United States. 

Like many nursing homes under the Genesis Healthcare umbrella, Las Palomas Center has a checkered past. Numerous violations have been identified through regular inspections and complaints about the facility. When nursing homes fall short of professional expectations, the residents are placed in harm’s way and could suffer from abuse or neglect. 

At the Nursing Home Law Center, our team is prepared to support your pursuit of compensation for legal damages. We will assess your situation, investigate the abuse, negotiate with insurance companies, and hold the at-fault party accountable. Contact our team to learn more about the claims process. 

Quick Facts: Las Palomas Center – Albuquerque, New Mexico

• Address: 8100 Palomas Avenue NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109
• CMS Overall Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
• Health Inspections Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
• Staffing Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
• Quality Measures Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
• Federal Fines (Last 3 Years): 2 fines totaling $68,069
• Payment Denials (Last 3 Years): 0
• Ownership Type: For-profit LLC
• Total Bed Capacity: 120
• Consumer Alert: No

What Services Does Las Palomas Center Offer?

Las Palomas Center offers a wide range of services for senior care in Albuquerque, NM. Many residents have benefited from these services thanks to the hard work of the administrative and nursing staff. However, plenty of other patients have fallen victim to abuse or neglect due to facility failures.

Here are some of the primary services provided by the staff at Las Palomas Center:

• Palliative care
• Respite care
• Physical therapist and occupational therapy services
• Speech therapy
• Orthopedic rehabilitation
• Vision care
• Wound care
• Colostomy care
• Dementia care
• Podiatry care
• Psychiatric services
• Hospice care
• Pain management
• Dietary and nutritional support
• Cultural, educational, religious, and social activities

CMS Ratings: What They Mean For You

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is the primary government entity responsible for regulating nursing homes throughout the United States. Through inspections and other reporting methods, CMS keeps consumers informed about the quality of certain facilities.

A five-star scoring system was created to evaluate nursing homes. Each facility receives an overall score based on ratings for health inspections, staffing, and quality measures. Here is what each star rating means:

• 1 star – Much below average
• 2 stars – Below average
• 3 stars – Average
• 4 stars – Above average
• 5 stars – Much above average

Las Palomas Center has very poor ratings across the board. Its overall score is one star, which matches its ratings for health inspections and staffing. Its highest score of two stars is for quality measures, but this still means it is below average. Therefore, if you have a friend or relative considering this nursing home for senior care near Albuquerque, NM, they may want to think twice. Facilities with poor ratings are more likely to allow abuse or neglect to thrive. 

Sample Settlements for Nursing Home Abuse

The purpose of a nursing home abuse or neglect claim is to hold the facility accountable and seek compensation for damages. The more you have suffered due to the physical or psychological impact of the abuse, the higher your settlement amount can be. 

Here are some sample settlements you could obtain depending on the extent of your suffering.

• Pressure ulcer injuries: $150,000 – $400,000+
• Falls with fractures or head trauma: $250,000 – $500,000+
• Severe neglect resulting in death: $500,000 – $1,000,000+
• Sexual abuse cases: $1,000,000 in many cases, depending on severity

The value of your abuse or neglect claim depends on the extent of your legal damages and the strength of the evidence. Hiring an expert attorney can also increase your chances of maximizing compensation, especially if they have experience dealing with large healthcare entities and insurance companies. 

Recent Violations and Citations at Las Palomas Center

Out of all the senior living communities near Bernalillo County, NM, Las Palomas has one of the worst sets of CMS ratings. These poor scores are a reflection of the numerous deficiencies found at the facility, including some related to abuse and neglect. 

In the most recent inspection of Las Palomas Center in July 2024, CMS listed 30 health citations. This far exceeds the national average of 9.6. Additionally, 11 complaints have resulted in citations in the past three years. 

Examining these inspection reports and reviews of Las Palomas reveals numerous past violations that have affected the quality of services at the nursing home.

• Nurse aide hours per day are much lower than the national and state averages.
• 35.9% of long-stay residents had a diminished ability to walk, compared to 22.6% of residents nationwide. 
• 27.8% of long-stay residents experienced an increase in their need for living assistance, compared to 17.7% nationally. 
• 9.1% of long-stay residents lost too much weight, compared to 5.8% nationwide.
• A failure to ensure the nursing home area is hazard-free to prevent accidents.
• A failure to ensure that qualified professionals direct activities. 
• A failure to procure food from approved sources and serve it professionally.
• A failure to honor the resident’s right to a clean, safe, and homelike environment. 
• A failure to provide appropriate respiratory care to a resident who needed it.
• A failure to ensure the menu meets the dietary needs of all residents.
• A failure to report allegations of abuse or neglect to the proper authorities.
• A failure to provide appropriate and safe pain management care to a resident who needed it. 
• A failure to implement an infection control and prevention plan.
• A failure to treat all residents with respect and dignity. 
• A failure to provide daily living assistance to residents who needed it. 
• A failure to ensure all drugs and biologicals were locked up and labeled correctly.
• A failure to plan the resident’s discharge appropriately according to their goals. 
• A failure to protect resident-identifiable information. 
• A failure to provide treatment according to each resident’s care plan and goals. 
• A failure to provide appropriate ulcer care. 

How These Violations Harm Residents

Residents at Las Palomas have suffered as a result of these violations. When the administrative and nursing staff fail to carry out their duties to professional standards, patients are more likely to experience abuse or neglect. Let’s discuss some of the consequences that these violations can cause. 

Physical Harm

In many cases, nursing home deficiencies cause physical harm to a resident. The harm may be due to inaction by staff members or purposeful abuse. Here are some examples of bodily harm that could lead to a nursing home lawsuit:

• Increased risk of infections, sepsis, physical injuries, and bed sores (pressure ulcers)
• Delayed responses to emergencies
• Malnutrition
• Medication errors
• Fall injuries (severe TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury))
• Broken bones
• Contusions
• Declining health conditions
• Failing personal hygiene

Emotional and Psychological Toll

The effect of abuse or neglect is not just physical. Some victims suffer for years because of the emotional trauma of their mistreatment. Even if the inciting incident has been addressed, the psychological consequences may still impact a resident’s stay in the nursing home. Here are a few emotional consequences that may manifest because of abuse or neglect:

• Loss of trust in caregivers
• Withdrawal from normal activities
• Disinterest in eating food
• Frustration with staff, other residents, or family members during a visit
• Anxiety, fear, and depression
• Isolation from social activities
• Declining mental health

Legal Rights for Nursing Home Residents in New Mexico

Every nursing home resident is entitled to various rights under state and federal laws. These regulations are designed to prevent abuse and foster high-quality care services. Suppose your loved one has suffered while staying at Las Palomas Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

In that case, a lawyer can help you understand how these laws may have been violated, making the facility and its staff liable for legal damages. 

Here are some relevant laws that grant protections to nursing home residents in New Mexico.

• New Mexico statute section 30-47-4 states that anyone who abuses a resident and causes physical or psychological harm may be guilty of a fourth-degree felony.
• New Mexico statute section 30-47-9 states that anyone who is paid to provide care or services to a resident is legally required to report suspected abuse or neglect, including the nursing staff. 
• The Federal Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 guarantees residents certain rights, such as the right to a dignified existence, the right to participate in social activities, the right to comfort, and the right to be protected from physical and mental abuse. 

What to Do if You Suspect Abuse or Neglect

Families are typically the first to notice the signs of abuse or neglect in a nursing community. If you have a family member living in Las Palomas Center, you can help protect them from harm by watching for the signs of abuse or neglect, such as unexplained injuries, emotional withdrawal, poor hygiene, or a worsening condition. 

When you do notice these signs of abuse or neglect, it is essential to take action quickly. Here is what you should do to hold the facility accountable and protect your family member from further harm:

1. Document the abuse or neglect by taking photos, speaking to witnesses, and taking notes.
2. Report the issues to a state agency, such as the New Mexico ombudsman program.
3. Consult an Albuquerque nursing home abuse attorney about your legal options for compensation.
4. Consider relocating the resident to a safer nursing home in New Mexico to protect them from further harm.

Contact Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Today

A New Mexico nursing home abuse lawyer can play an essential role in a nursing home neglect claim. Victims who have suffered in these facilities can seek compensation for medical bills, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and even loss of enjoyment of life. At the Nursing Home Law Center, we know what it takes to win your injury claim, no matter the cause of the suffering. 

Our law firm offers numerous legal services, including:

• Contingency fee agreement – You owe nothing upfront, and we only receive payment if we win your case.
• Free consultation – Speak to a professional lawyer about the claims process and your case with no obligation.
• Experience with Genesis Healthcare – We have worked with numerous clients who have experienced difficulties while staying in Genesis-run facilities.
• Winning track record – Our team has recovered over $450 million in damages for past clients, achieving a 98% success rate.

Contact us today at 800-926-7565 or complete our online form to request a free initial consultation about your claim in Albuquerque, NM. Our attorneys are professional, responsive, and friendly, serving clients throughout the state of New Mexico. 

Other Genesis Healthcare Facilities We Monitor in New Mexico

• Sandia Ridge Center – Albuquerque, NM
• Uptown Rehabilitation Center – Albuquerque, NM
• The Rehabilitation Center of Albuquerque – Albuquerque, NM
• Albuquerque Heights Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center – Albuquerque, NM
• Rio Rancho Center – Rio Rancho, NM