Complaint Investigation Report

The Department’s investigation revealed that on January 30, 2020, C1 indeed returned home complaining of new wrist pain (i.e., pain which was not present when they left for day program earlier that morning). X-rays taken that same evening revealed a “focal tiny chip fracture to the scaphoid bone” of C1’s right wrist (and not their elbow). C1 was subsequently seen by an orthopedist and prescribed a fiberglass cast to wear.

Two instructional staff closely supervised C1 for the duration of their attendance at program on the date in question; both corroborated C1 did not fall, and C1’s hand/wrist/arm did not hit a hard object. Both witnessed C1 complete physical therapy (which involved pulling on elastic exercise bands), plus an hour-long computer lab class (which involved hand motor skills). They also helped C1 to the restroom multiple times (which involved C1 grabbing onto staff members’ elbows while transferring up from the toilet seat). In each of the above activities, C1 exhibited no pain, difficulty, or sign of injury. Two transportation staff (not associated to the facility) closely supervised C1 as they transited to and from day program on the date in question; both corroborated that C1 did not fall, and C1’s hand/wrist/arm did not hit a hard object. Boarding of the vehicle involved grabbing onto handrails while climbing a few steps, which C1 did without pain, difficulty, or sign of injury.

When interviewed by CDSS about their wrist injury, C1 gave two different explanations, neither of which matched their initial claim that they fell at day program. [A caregiver at the group home said they too asked C1 about their wrist injury and received a third different explanation, which also did not match C1 falling at day program.] Day program staff, group home staff, and medical staff assigned to C1 unanimously reported that C1 is not a reliable historian. The Department encountered no evidence to corroborate that C1 ever fell at the day program (i.e., while in licensee’s custody).