Private investigator comes calling....

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So, while was at work today, a private investigator showed up at my house wanting to visit with me. My husband answered the door, and said this man would like me to contact him and left his business card for me. I have looked him up online - he's legit. Apparently he spoke with my husband a bit about what's going on: he's working on an abuse/ neglect case for the family of a nursing home resident that was there 2 years ago. He wanted to show me a picture and ask if I remembered the person. He said that they "went downhill quick" once admitted there. He also told my hubby that the family "wants the corporation, not the employees". They're trying to find out just who "corporate" is.

This is a first for me. I only worked there 2 nights a week. Does anyone else have experience with this situation? I need some input here, as to what to do. I'd like to email him and ask who the resident was... I'd like to know what's going on. But on the other hand, I don't want to get pulled in as a witness or get involved. Advice, please?

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Do you honestly think that this PI would look out for your interests if he figures you had something to do with the incident he is investigating? Don't you think he might be fishing for people to add to the lawsuit ? Do you honestly think your bosses would look out for your interests if you were caught "talking out of school"? Or would you be thrown under the bus?

Sounds like a great opportunity to say the wrong thing and end up not only named as a third party in a lawsuit and unemployed when your facility finds out you were speaking with this PI.

tl/dr Say nothing to this person you wouldn't want to read in the public record.

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No. Way. If you had any knowledge of patient neglect or abuse, you would have reported it at the time you become aware of it. Don't allow this person to create a situation and make you a part of it.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Breach HIPAA? No thanks. Do not respond to anything except a subpoena.

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3 hours ago, Fyles said:

I'd like to email him and ask who the resident was... I'd like to know what's going on.

Absolutely not. Don't even tempt yourself with any of that. This isn't a matter for parsing out pros and cons; just don't do it.

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Thanks for your input. I'm not employed at the nursing home anymore that he's interested in, but have decided to remain uninvolved!

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.
17 hours ago, meanmaryjean said:

Breach HIPAA? No thanks. Do not respond to anything except a subpoena.

This. You aren't involved. Stay that way. If he begins to make a nuisance of himself, tell him you will consider it harassment. I would simply call him and tell him you have no desire to be involved without a court subpoena.

20 hours ago, Fyles said:

So, while was at work today, a private investigator showed up at my house wanting to visit with me. My husband answered the door, and said this man would like me to contact him and left his business card for me. I have looked him up online - he's legit. Apparently he spoke with my husband a bit about what's going on: he's working on an abuse/ neglect case for the family of a nursing home resident that was there 2 years ago. He wanted to show me a picture and ask if I remembered the person. He said that they "went downhill quick" once admitted there. He also told my hubby that the family "wants the corporation, not the employees". They're trying to find out just who "corporate" is.

This is a first for me. I only worked there 2 nights a week. Does anyone else have experience with this situation? I need some input here, as to what to do. I'd like to email him and ask who the resident was... I'd like to know what's going on. But on the other hand, I don't want to get pulled in as a witness or get involved. Advice, please?

There is a reason they say curiosity killed the cat. Forget about it. Not even remotely kidding.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

It's obvious to me that a lawsuit is in the brewing. No doubt, the lawyers/family have subpoenaed the medical record so they DO know who to contact. The PI is just to locate you.

Just from my general understanding of these type lawsuits, everybody whose name is in the record gets sucked in. At your time and your expense.

Like others have said so super well - JUST SAY NO!

You can call your malpractice carrier and I'd bet they'd say much the same

to CharleeFoxtrot - I couldn't have said it better!

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On ‎9‎/‎23‎/‎2019 at 6:19 PM, meanmaryjean said:

Breach HIPAA? No thanks. Do not respond to anything except a subpoena.

And when you respond to the subpoena, bring along YOUR attorney.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

^^^^^^^^^^ This!!!!! And oh, yes!!!!!

Just to be clear, you MUST respond to a subpoena.

Like jury duty.

Or they come after YOU!

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Yes, I know how subpoenas work. I've decided I'm staying far away from all this. Not talking to anyone, about anything, without an attorney present.

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