For Immediate Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                                                                              Contact: Katrin Haldeman
518-275-1720

DRNY Finds Deficiencies in
Department of Health Death Investigation
Albany, NY November 2, 2021: Disability Rights New York (DRNY) published a report today outlining the deficiencies in a New York State Department of Health (DOH)
investigation of alleged neglect that may have led to the sudden death of a 57 year-old man in a  New York rehabilitation facility.

As the Protection and Advocacy System for the state, DRNY is specifically authorized  
to investigate allegations of abuse and neglect against people with disabilities and the agencies that serve them. DRNY initiated our investigation after we received a complaint alleging that the DOH failed to substantiate the claim that the man’s death was due to neglect at the facility.

Several inconsistencies between the facility’s records and the Medical Examiner’s findings clearly warranted further investigation by DOH. The most troubling overall finding was the DOH’s failure to thoroughly investigate conflicting data relevant to the cause of death, which may have been preventable.

Corrective action relating to the investigation of this death remains warranted and systemic reform of DOH’s investigative procedures is strongly indicated. DRNY believes this case illustrates a need for systemic reform of DOH’s investigative procedures.

The DOH was provided an advance copy of the report twice throughout the investigation process, and provided written responses defending their investigation. These responses are included as appendices to the report.

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DRNY is the designated independent non-profit Protection & Advocacy System empowered by Congress to investigate allegations of abuse and neglect and provide legal and non-legal advocacy services to people with disabilities in New York State. The Protection & Advocacy System was created by Congress as a direct result of the horrific conditions that were uncovered in the 1970's at New York’s Willowbrook State School.
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DRNY is supported at tax payer expense by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, The Administration for Community Living; Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration; U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration; and, the Social Security Administration. This press release does not represent the views, positions or policies of, or the endorsements by, any of these federal agencies.
Disability Rights New York | www.drny.org