Maine Injury Lawyer Blog
According to a recent article, a Honda Odyssey transporting clients of John F. Murphy Homes—a group home for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities—was struck by a Chevrolet Silverado after attempting to cross. Two women in the van, Catherine Chafin (57) and Emily Bennett (44), tragically lost their lives at Central Maine Medical Center. The driver, a 21-year-old direct caregiver, and another staff member sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The truck’s driver escaped serious harm.
At Peter Thompson & Associates, we recognize that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) are among the most vulnerable members of our communities. When families entrust the care of a loved one to a group home or residential facility, they expect a safe environment, attentive supervision, and respectful treatment. Tragically, this trust is sometimes broken—resulting in serious injuries, emotional trauma, or even death.
When preventable harm occurs in a group home setting, legal action may be warranted—not just to secure compensation, but to protect others from similar risks.
Understanding the Unique Risks in Group Homes
Group homes are meant to provide a stable, community-based living arrangement for individuals with I/DD, often including support with daily activities, medication management, behavioral therapy, and transportation. Unfortunately, the very nature of this care—combined with limited communication ability for some residents—can make it easier for neglect or abuse to go unnoticed.
Common types of injuries in group homes include:
- Falls due to inadequate supervision or unsafe premises
- Burns or scalds from unattended kitchen or bathing activities
- Medication errors leading to overdoses or severe side effects
- Transportation accidents, such as those occurring during van rides to appointments or outings
- Physical or emotional abuse by undertrained or unsupervised staff
- Choking incidents due to lack of dietary monitoring or feeding assistance
When these injuries result from negligence, families have the right to pursue justice through civil litigation.
Negligence in Group Home Settings: What the Law Says
Under Maine law, group homes—whether operated by private organizations or nonprofits—have a duty of care to their residents. This means they are legally obligated to take reasonable measures to ensure resident safety. When they fail to meet this standard, and someone is harmed as a result, the facility may be held liable for:
- Negligent hiring or supervision of staff
- Failure to follow safety protocols or state regulations
- Inadequate training of caregivers
- Understaffing, which can lead to inattention and increased risk
- Neglect of medical or dietary needs
In some cases, families may also have grounds to file wrongful death claims if negligence leads to a fatality.
Warning Signs of Abuse or Neglect
If your loved one resides in a group home, it’s important to watch for signs that could indicate mistreatment or lack of care:
- Unexplained bruises, cuts, or broken bones
- Sudden changes in behavior, fearfulness, or withdrawal
- Poor hygiene or unsanitary living conditions
- Missed medications or medical appointments
- Vague or conflicting explanations for injuries
Any of these may be a sign that staff are not fulfilling their obligations—and legal intervention may be necessary.
What Families Can Do
If your loved one has been injured while living in a group home, take these steps immediately:
- Seek medical attention and document all injuries.
- Report the incident to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Adult Protective Services, or other oversight agencies.
- Request records from the group home, including incident reports, staff schedules, and treatment logs.
- Contact a qualified personal injury attorney with experience in group home negligence cases.
How Peter Thompson & Associates Can Help
Our firm is dedicated to protecting the rights of those who cannot always protect themselves. With decades of experience in personal injury and wrongful death litigation, Peter Thompson & Associates is proud to stand with Maine families when loved ones are harmed due to the negligence of group home operators or staff.
We understand the emotional and legal complexity of these cases. We work with medical experts, investigators, and care professionals to build strong, evidence-based claims that hold negligent parties accountable and help prevent future harm.
Every individual—regardless of ability—deserves to live in safety and dignity. If your loved one has suffered harm in a group home, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone.
Contact Peter Thompson & Associates today at 1-207-874-0909 or visit our website for a free, confidential consultation. We are committed to seeking justice for Maine’s most vulnerable residents—and for the families who love and protect them.