Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyers in Columbus, Ohio

Nursing home residents are extremely vulnerable. Because they lack the ability to care for themselves, elderly residents rely on the corporations who own and staff nursing homes for their care and safety. When nursing homes fail to provide appropriate care for their residents, serious injury and even wrongful death can result. 

Nursing homes should be a safe haven for our elderly community. Every resident deserves to have adequate medical care and supervision. In 2017, 41% of all long-term care facilities and nursing homes in Ohio received a below-average rating.  Even though all nursing homes in Ohio are regulated and certified by the state, nursing home negligence can happen even at the nicest facilities. 

At Clark, Perdue, and List, we understand the special needs of nursing home residents and we have the knowledge and resources to obtain justice for the victims of nursing home negligence and abuse. We are particularly aware of how helpless out of state family members can feel when a loved one is being neglected in an Ohio nursing home.

What Constitutes Abuse and Neglect in a Nursing Home?

Some of the common ways elderly nursing home residents can be harmed include

Medical Neglect

Staff members not assisting with hygiene, specialized diet, or medication management. This often results in malnutrition, dehydration, bedsores, infections, and worsening of existing illnesses.

Psychological Abuse

When staff is verbally or emotionally abusive, it can result in depression, anxiety, and trauma. This includes intimidation and threats, humiliation, ignoring the resident, and isolating them from other residents and activities.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual assaults can be perpetrated by a staff member or another resident.

Lack of Supervision

For residents that require assistance when walking or suffer from dementia or Alzheimers, lack of supervision can result in a resident wandering off and getting seriously hurt from a fall. 

Unsanitary Living Conditions

Clean living conditions are vital to elders in nursing homes who are most at risk of becoming seriously ill. Staff should consistently be washing clothes and bedsheets, sanitizing kitchens and common areas frequently, pest control prevention, and more. 

Healthcare Fraud

Unethical doctors or nurses may be liable for fraud if they inaccurately medicate a resident for financial gain or overcharge for medical services.

Financial Exploitation

Financial exploitation is one of the most common forms of abuse among the elderly community. This includes unauthorized use of a resident’s checks, debit or credit card, stealing cash, forgery, or even stealing their identity.

When to Take Action

Residents in a nursing home sometimes have difficulty communicating with their family and friends when there is a problem with the care they are receiving. Families should be vigilant in watching for the signs that might indicate ongoing abuse and neglect. Please see our attached list of warning signs and print a copy to keep on hand for reference. 

Information You Should Get From Ohio Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorneys

When hiring a lawyer to represent a family member in a nursing home abuse case, you should ask specific questions to evaluate the lawyer’s experience. In particular, you should ask whether the lawyer is willing to pursue punitive damages. Punitive damages are monetary sanctions against nursing homes designed to prevent further abuse – not just for your loved one, but of all residents.

In addition, you should question whether the law firm has ever obtained a jury verdict in a nursing home case that included punitive damages. Ask whether the firm works with a registered nurse who can help distinguish between the typical signs of the decline attributable to the aging process, and those warning signs that night indicate nursing home abuse or neglect. 

Consult With Our Experienced Nursing Home Negligence Attorneys in Columbus

Being the victim of neglect or abuse at the hands of your caretakers can be devastating and leave you feeling hopeless. Clark, Perdue, and List has extensive experience and a successful track record handling nursing home abuse claims. If requested, we will meet you in your home or at the hospital to explain your legal rights and make suggestions for immediate action on your claim. 

As the leading firm for nursing home negligence cases in Columbus, we will lead the charge on getting the justice your family deserves. Our team will evaluate your situation and develop a strategy to fight for your loved one’s rights.

You Must Take Action

Residents in a nursing home sometimes have difficulty communicating with their family and friends when there is a problem with the care they are receiving. Families should be vigilant in watching for the signs that might indicate ongoing abuse and neglect. Please see our attached list of warning signs and print a copy to keep on hand for reference.

If you do notice signs of neglect or abuse, call Clark, Perdue & List Co, LPA, at 614-469-1400 for a free consultation.