AMHERST, NY (WKBW) — A lawsuit was filed Friday against the Rosa Coplon Living Center on the Weinberg campus. It is claimed an 88-year-old woman who lived there was neglected, leading to her injuries.

“She was not answered and that ultimately caused her to fall and cause injuries to her face, primarily a broken nose, black eyes,” said Mike Cieri, the plaintiff’s attorney.

The litigation comes a day after 7 News learned The Weinberg campus plans to close the facility due to financial issues.

However, there is still hope for the more than 100-year-old facility.

“I understand the state is looking at this decision again,” said New York State Assemblywoman Karen McMahon. “There have been suggestions that an administrator should be appointed to bring fiscal stability to the property.”

The New York City Department of Health said the facility is millions of dollars behind in “significant debt.”

According to the union, $6 million is needed from New York State to keep the facility open. NYSDOH has the ability to keep this facility open by funding the transfer of ownership.

7 News broke the developments surrounding the facility and the uncertainty for residents.

RESIDENTS

Rosa Coplon is home to approximately 113 inhabitants. A member of staff told 7 News on Friday that some are already planning to move, others are not sure where they will go. The facility administrator wrote this letter to the residents.

Weinberg Campus

PERSONAL
The closure affects more than 300 SEIU members. One said, “You can cut the tension with a knife,” at Rosa Coplon right now. She said she feels bad for the residents who live there.

“Our residents need us here. These people rely on us and look forward to seeing them when they come to work,” Weinberg Campus employee Lizetta Bosley said. She and her colleagues are urging the state to save the facility.

WKBW

Employee LaShawn Solomon is among the staff members who said her benefits were taken without her knowledge.

“I also had to cancel my daughter’s appointment for a sleep study to see if she has sleep seizures. I can’t get that now. I have to wait,” Solomon said.

We contacted Univera Healthcare about the benefits that have been removed, a spokesperson said:

NYSDOH said the facility applied for the Nursing Home Vital Access Provider and Insurance Program and was awarded $2 million in 2022.

In 2023, they were given an additional $2.58 million.

“As Weinberg’s wages and other financial obligations continued to deteriorate, the department took steps to ensure the health and safety of Rosa Coplon residents. Based on the unaudited information we have from the CEO and their counsel, it is impossible to opine on the actual dollar value of the debt, but it is in the millions, as previously stated.

Representatives from the New York State Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program for the Elderly are also assisting.