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 that 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. That’s when you need a nursing home abuse lawyer in Columbus, Ohio.
Do You Suspect Nursing Home Neglect?
uNursing 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 neglect 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 neglect and abuse. Our nursing home abuse team is 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 Columbus 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 who require assistance when walking or suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s, 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 Columbus, Ohio Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorneys
When hiring a lawyer to represent a family member in a Columbus nursing home abuse case, you should ask specific questions to evaluate the lawyer’s experience. In particular, you should ask whether the nursing home neglect 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 for 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. It is extraordinarily painful for family members to visit their loved one only to discover signs of abuse such as the patient being unwashed or having uncombed hair or sitting in a wet or soiled diaper. Unexplained bruising is also a cause for concern. Clark, Perdue & 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 a leading nursing home abuse team 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.
More About Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
Ohio Nursing Home Statistics
- In 2019, Ohio nursing homes ranked 40th in the country
- 75% of nursing homes in Ohio failed to score an above-average health inspection
- Ohio’s nursing home residents received little more than 2 hours and 18 minutes of direct care each day.
- Of the 963 nursing homes in Ohio, 144 were found to have serious deficiencies
Sources
Our law firm represents residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities in cases involving:
- Sexual abuse by caregivers or other residents
- Medication errors
- Residents who suffer falls
- Other cases of abuse and neglect
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.
Information You Should Get From Ohio Elder 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 the nursing home designed to prevent future abuse — not just of 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 decline attributable to the aging process, and those warning signs that might indicate nursing home abuse or neglect.
FAQs
Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse Q and A
What is nursing home neglect?
Nursing home neglect generally involves mistreatment, or a complete lack of treatment, provided to nursing home residents. Lack of proper nutrition or hydration, or improper nursing or medical care, are just two examples of neglect.
What is nursing home abuse?
Nursing home abuse often involves physical abuse, mental and emotional abuse, or sexual assault. Sometimes, these problems are caused by bad staff members. Other times, the abuse can come from other residents.
How can I tell if my resident has been neglected or abused?
Many times, family members are alerted to neglect or abuse by other medical providers. For example, a nursing resident suffers an infection resulting in a decubitus ulcer or bedsore and is taken to the emergency room. The emergency room physician suspects neglect or abuse and informs the family of her thoughts.
Many nursing residents—particularly those who suffer Alzheimer’s disease or dementia—cannot verbalize their complaints. That is why it is important for family members to visit often and monitor any unusual changes in a loved one’s condition.
Do Ohio nursing residents have rights?
Yes. Ohio has a Nursing Home Residents’ Bill of Rights. It includes 33 specific rights, including the right to adequate nursing care and medical treatment, and a safe and clean living environment; the right to be free from physical, verbal, mental, and emotional abuse; the right to be treated with courtesy, respect, and full recognition of dignity and individuality; and many others.
If my loved one’s rights have violated, is there anything I can do?
Yes. Ohio law allows a complaint to be made to the Ohio Department of Health. Additionally, Ohio law allows a resident, or a resident’s representative, to bring a civil action against any person who or nursing home who commits the violation. The civil action can include damages for hospital and medical expenses, pain and suffering and other losses.
How long do I have to make a claim for nursing home neglect or abuse?
In Ohio, claims against nursing homes are medical claims. Generally, there is a one year time limit to bring a claim, so time is of the essence.
Do I need a lawyer to make a claim?
Technically, no. However, nursing neglect and abuse cases are complicated and expensive. At the very least, you should consult with an experienced nursing home neglect and abuse lawyer. Most lawyers do not charge for an initial consultation, and you should gather as much information as possible before making a decision on how best to proceed.
Columbus, Ohio, Nursing Home Abuse And Neglect Attorneys
Clark, Perdue & List has extensive experience and a successful record handling nursing home abuse claims. If requested, we will meet you — in your home or at the hospital, if necessary — to explain your legal rights and make suggestions for immediate action on your claim.
Free Consultation — Contact Our Firm
To discuss your case with a lawyer, contact Clark, Perdue & List Co, LPA.