Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Everyone wants their cherished loved ones to live their golden years in peace, surrounded by love and the people who mean the most to them. Nursing homes and long-term care facilities are supposed to be environments where family members can enjoy their time while receiving the medical care and social interaction they need. Unfortunately, not all facilities take this responsibility to heart, leaving loved ones to suffer abuse and neglect from cruel or improperly trained caregivers.

At Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, our experienced Ohio nursing home abuse attorneys understand how the trauma of abuse and neglect can impact vulnerable loved ones. We strive to help individuals seek justice and compensation for their injuries.

If you have experienced abuse in a nursing home setting or are a family member who suspects your loved one is facing abuse, immediately discuss the situation with a knowledgeable Ohio personal injury lawyer. Contact Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law to arrange a free consultation and learn more about your legal options.

Types of Nursing Home Abuse

Abuse is a broad term that can describe a variety of conditions. Most people associate abuse with hitting, kicking, slapping, or physical altercations that cause obvious injuries. However, not all forms of abuse are apparent.

There are several types of nursing home abuse. Nursing home abuse is any harm against an elderly resident. The kinds of abuse an individual may encounter in a nursing home facility can include:

• Physical abuse – Physical abuse involves staff or caregivers causing intentional harm to an elderly resident. This type of abuse can include pinching, hitting, pushing, biting, and slapping.
• Emotional abuse– When a caregiver inflicts verbal and nonverbal threats on a resident, that’s psychological or emotional abuse. Using degrading language, yelling, and humiliating a nursing home resident can deteriorate a resident’s mental health.
• Sexual abuse– Sexual abuse tends to be one of the most underreported forms of nursing home abuse in the U.S. It includes any sexual contact that is unwanted and nonconsensual.
• Financial abuse– Predatory caregivers may target residents and manipulate them into participating in pyramid or investment schemes for their own financial gain. Theft, fraud, and forgery are also common forms of financial abuse.

Is There a Difference Between Elder Abuse and Elder Neglect?

Elder neglect is a form of elder abuse. However, neglect is the failure to regularly meet a resident’s daily needs. There are several forms of nursing home neglect, including:

• Medical neglect– Medical neglect involves the repeated failure to address a resident’s medical condition or concerns. This may include improper wound care, failing to administer correct medication, not treating sores and infections, and failing to provide or obtain appropriate treatment.
• Neglect of basic needs – Food, water, and a safe environment are basic human needs. Failing to make sure a resident receives these needs can be considered neglect.
• Neglect of personal hygiene– Neglect may also include not giving a resident clean clothes and bed linens or helping with dental care and bathing.

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing home residents can be vulnerable. Caregivers threaten many into silence. Others cannot effectively communicate with family members about their dire situations. Some may feel a sense of shame or embarrassment stemming from the abuse. To not burden their family members, the abused person keeps silent about abuse and neglect.

You are your family member’s best defense against nursing home abuse and neglect. Some of the signs of nursing home abuse and neglect can include:

What to Do If You Suspect a Loved One Is Being Abused

If you suspect a loved one is suffering abuse in a nursing home or long-term care facility, consult an experienced Ohio nursing home abuse attorney immediately. An attorney can carefully investigate your suspicions and help protect your loved one. They can also help you locate resources to cope with the trauma associated with abuse.

Helpful resources include:

• Ohio Long-Term Care Ombudsman – Ohio’s Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman program puts nursing home residents and their families in touch with advocates to help them resolve complaints and address concerns associated with long-term care facilities.
• Eldercare Locator – If you don’t know where to start the process of helping your family member, consider using the Eldercare Locator. The service connects families and nursing home residents to local advocacy services.
• Medicare – If your loved one is in a facility that accepts federal Medicare funding, you can file abuse and neglect reports with the federal government through the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization(QIO).

Nursing Home Injury Laws in Ohio

Recently, new laws in Ohio have expanded the definition of elder abuse and created new mandatory reporters of elder abuse – similar to mandatory reporters in child abuse cases.

Ohio’s Adult Protective Services agency is responsible for addressing allegations of neglect and abuse. The law stipulates that the organization must investigate reports of abuse within 24 hours and meet with the alleged victim to determine further action.

What Compensation Is Available for Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect?

The value of a nursing home abuse case varies depending on the circumstances of the case. However, those seeking compensation for abuse and neglect may be able to seek money for the following:

• Medical expenses
• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering
• Wrongful death

Contact Our Ohio Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Today

Are you concerned about the safety and welfare of your loved one? Contact a nursing home neglect attorney with Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law for help immediately. We want to protect your family members and help them pursue valuable compensation for their losses.

Contact our office for a free case evaluation today.