We were all shocked when elderly residents died in the heat as Hurricane Irma knocked out a transformer in the air-conditioning system of a Florida nursing home. Management at The Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills said it … [Read more...] about How Safe are Ohio Nursing Home Residents from Natural Disasters?
Nursing Home Abuse in Ohio
Nursing home residents are particularly vulnerable to abuse and neglect. Advanced age, cognitive decline, dependence on staff, and memory problems all can make it difficult to identify abuse or neglect. Unfortunately, these incidents are more common than you may think. A surprising number of nursing home residents are even subjected to sexual abuse. And not all abuse is perpetrated by nursing home staff. Resident-on-resident abuse is a problem as well, requiring monitoring and response from the facility.
That’s why it’s critical to be on the alert when a loved one is in an Ohio nursing home--and not just for signs of physical abuse. Psychological abuse, general neglect, and medical neglect can all be just as dangerous.
Watching for Signs of Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect
The most obvious red flags of abuse involve things like unexplained bruises, abrasions, and other injuries. And that inquiry doesn’t necessarily end when nursing home staff offers a simple explanation such as, “she fell.” While falls are common among the elderly and not entirely avoidable, an unexplained fall can also signal neglect. Nursing homes and other residential care facilities are responsible for providing safeguards and assistance for patients who need it, whether that means guardrails, help in getting out of bed, or another type of protection. And of course, they’re responsible for maintaining safe conditions--that means avoiding uneven surfaces, tripping hazards, slippery floors, and other risks.
Other signs of abuse may not be as visible as cuts and bruises. Some common examples include withdrawal, depression, anxiety, unexplained weight loss, personality changes, increased cognitive issues, and suspicious response to particular residents or staff members.
Liability for Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
Nursing homes, like most individuals and business entities, may be held legally responsible for harm caused by their negligence. Often, even abuse-related claims are really negligence cases. For example, if an aid abuses a resident and the facility fails to notice and take action, the nursing home may be liable for negligence in hiring, training, establishment of policies, or supervision. But nursing home abuse and neglect claims can be complicated.
One issue that makes nursing home cases difficult is that the resident victim is often unable to provide clear information about what happened. That means building a case requires investigation to reconstruct what went wrong. Another is that nursing home neglect may be medical, non-medical, or a combination of the two. The process for filing a medical malpractice suit is different and more complicated than a standard negligence claim. If a loved one has suffered an injury, experienced declining health or worsening conditions, or has died as a result of nursing home abuse or neglect, an experienced Ohio personal injury attorney can be your best source of information.
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Earlier this month, we wrote that President Trump is supporting a bill currently before the U.S. Senate that would restrict the rights of nursing home residents and their loved ones when filing suit against a nursing home. Today, … [Read more...] about How the Trump Administration is Already Undermining Ohio Nursing Home Residents’ Rights
President Trump’s Politics and What It Means for Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuits
In late June 2017, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1215, the Protecting Access to Care Act of 2017 (or PACA), a federal tort-reform bill that would override contrary state laws. President Trump has expressed a … [Read more...] about President Trump’s Politics and What It Means for Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuits
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When a close family member dies suddenly, under certain circumstances, legal action can be brought. This type of action is known as “wrongful death” and is regulated by state laws. Wrongful death laws can vary significantly from … [Read more...] about Ohio Wrongful Death Claims: What You Need to Know
Adult Protective Services: How to Get Help in Ohio
Like domestic abuse, elder abuse often goes unreported. Victims of nursing home abuse and their families typically have no idea where they should turn or to whom they should complain. Sometimes, they are simply embarrassed or are … [Read more...] about Adult Protective Services: How to Get Help in Ohio
Ohio Nursing Home Abuse Statistics: What to Know
Ohio has the seventh-largest older adult population in the nation. Unfortunately, nursing home abuse and negligence reports are on the rise throughout the United States, including in Ohio. Statistics show that Ohio’s nursing … [Read more...] about Ohio Nursing Home Abuse Statistics: What to Know