Baton Rouge, LA – A Louisiana nursing assistant has been charged with negligent homicide after a patient at Jefferson Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center died while the worker attempted to operate a hydraulic lift by herself, state prosecutors say. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about safety protocols in long-term care facilities.
Incident Details
According to State Attorney General Liz Murrill, the patient “slipped out the side of the sling, landing on the feet of the lift,” resulting in blunt force injuries. The patient became unresponsive roughly 40 minutes after the fall, and resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful.
“These cases are very difficult,” Murrill said while announcing the indictment of Diamond Johnson, a former certified nursing assistant employed at Jefferson Manor in June 2024.
Johnson allegedly attempted to move the patient from a chair to her bed without assistance, violating standard lift procedures which typically require two trained caregivers for safety.
Medical Findings
An autopsy conducted following the incident determined the patient’s cause of death as “complications of blunt force injuries due to fall from a patient lift at the nursing home,” Murrill’s office reported. The patient’s identity has not been released publicly.
The autopsy confirmed that the injuries were consistent with a fall from a hydraulic patient lift, rather than natural causes or pre-existing conditions.
Legal Proceedings
A grand jury reviewed the case on October 2, 2025, weighing criminality and appropriate charges. The result was an indictment of Johnson, who was subsequently booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.
Murrill’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated the incident, ultimately supporting the conclusion that Johnson was negligent in her care, leading to the patient’s death.
“My job as attorney general is to protect the citizens of this state; especially those who can’t protect themselves,” Murrill stated. “As to the facts of this case, the grand jury felt, as we did, that Ms. Johnson was negligent in the care she provided to the victim, who unfortunately lost her life as a result of that negligence.”
Facility Background
Jefferson Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center markets itself as a facility that is “passionate about its mission to improve quality of life” for residents. Its website emphasizes that all residents are treated with respect and dignity, with individualized care tailored to each patient’s needs.
However, the center did not respond to requests for comment regarding the incident.
Safety Concerns in Nursing Homes
This case underscores the risks associated with improper use of patient lifts, a critical component of elderly care safety. Experts recommend that hydraulic lifts always be operated by two trained staff members to prevent accidents, especially when patients have limited mobility.
Recent investigations by state authorities highlight that nursing home accidents, while relatively rare, often involve preventable procedural oversights or staffing shortages.
What Comes Next
Johnson faces ongoing legal proceedings related to negligent homicide, and authorities have indicated the case will be closely monitored for updates on court dates and potential penalties.
Families and caregivers are reminded of the importance of proper training and supervision in long-term care environments, both for staff and patients.
What do you think about this case? Share your thoughts in the comments below and let us know how you think nursing homes can better protect residents from avoidable accidents.
