When to Hire an Ohio Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer

Neglect of a loved one in a nursing home facility is unacceptable.  Unfortunately, it occurs with alarming frequency in Ohio and across the country.  If your loved one has suffered because of the negligence of a nursing home facility or its staff, you need a nursing home neglect lawyer to help protect your parent or relative from further mistreatment.

What Is Nursing Home Neglect?

Any type of mistreatment of patients and residents in a nursing home facility is wrong, and may be actionable under Ohio law. Intentional abuse and malpractice in the extended care environment should be addressed with the help of an attorney.

Perhaps the most pervasive form of elder mistreatment, though, is nursing home neglect.  Neglect occurs when a facility and its staff fail to provide the reasonable level of care required to protect the health and safety of patients and residents.

Neglect can occur because of a variety of reasons.  Nursing home facility policies may be insufficient to adequately provide for the needs of residents.  Likewise, cost-cutting measures can lead to understaffing, unsanitary living areas, or outdated and dangerous equipment and furniture, all of which can in turn lead to injuries.

Neglect can occur at a staff level, as well.  Carelessness and inattention of nursing home staff can mean that elders and other residents in need of assistance do not receive the care they deserve.

What Are Some Types of Nursing Home Neglect?

Nursing home neglect encompasses any injury sustained due to a facility and its staff’s failure to provide appropriately attentive care.  Failure to provide adequate nutrition, opportunities for exercise, assistance for bathing and using the toilet, turning chronically recumbent individuals, maintenance of furniture, equipment, and fixtures, and adequate cleaning are all examples of nursing home neglect that may be grounds for a lawsuit if these failures caused an injury.

This list, though, is not inclusive.  There are many types of nursing home neglect that can do serious physical and mental damage to those we love.

How Can I Recognize Nursing Home Neglect?

Nursing home neglect can be both blatantly obvious and almost undetectable, depending on the severity.  Telltale signs of neglect can include appearance of malnutrition, physical uncleanliness, bed sores, physical injuries, unkempt or dilapidated facilities, or obvious lack of staffing or assistance.  If you notice any of these signs, further investigation is warranted.

In many instances of nursing home neglect, relatives may be unable to notice any direct signs.  Talking with your loved ones about their experience is therefore important.  While they may downplay the lack of care or attention they are receiving, those in nursing homes deserve and are entitled to receive proper, attentive care.

When Should I Contact an Ohio Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer?

You owe it to your loved one to contact an experienced attorney as soon as you suspect neglect in care is occurring.  A nursing home neglect lawyer can assist you in determining whether neglect or abuse has occurred.  If it has, your lawyer can not only pursue legal action on behalf of your loved one but can also assist in removing your loved one from a dangerous and neglectful situation.

If your loved one has suffered due to nursing home neglect, call Lowe Scott Fisher Co., LPA today for a free consultation regarding how you can best protect the person you love.