Akron Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Nursing home abuse is a serious and troubling issue that affects many vulnerable residents nationwide, including right here in Akron, OH. Families trust nursing homes and assisted living facilities to provide safe and compassionate care for elderly loved ones, ensuring their comfort and well-being in a supportive environment. 

Unfortunately, not all facilities live up to this promise, and too many nursing home residents suffer abuse and neglect at the hands of those entrusted with their care.

Seeking legal assistance from an experienced Akron nursing home abuse lawyer is essential. Taking legal action against nursing homes may feel like a big step. Still, with support from a qualified nursing home abuse lawyer, families can pursue maximum compensation for their loved ones and gain a sense of justice. 

An Akron nursing home abuse lawyer understands the challenges and nuances of these cases, using their knowledge to help victims and family members hold responsible parties accountable.

Why Hire Nursing Home Law Center

At Nursing Home Law Center, we are dedicated to securing rightful compensation and accountability for those impacted by nursing home abuse. Our Ohio nursing home abuse attorney team has a strong history of managing nursing home abuse cases with compassion and achieving meaningful settlements and verdicts for our clients.

We conduct detailed investigations to uncover all aspects of abuse, making sure that medical costs, emotional suffering, and other damages are thoroughly considered. With our extensive experience in nursing home abuse cases, we tackle the challenges effectively and fight with determination to uphold your rights.

Types of Cases Handled by Our Akron Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

Nursing home abuse refers to any deliberate or negligent action by staff members or caregivers that results in harm to residents in assisted living facilities. At Nursing Home Law Center, our Akron nursing home abuse lawyers have experience in a wide range of abuse and neglect cases, providing dedicated support to victims and families.

Physical Abuse

Physical elder abuse involves intentionally inflicting harm on nursing home patients through actions like hitting, pushing, or improper restraint use.

Psychological Abuse

Mental and emotional elder abuse includes actions that cause psychological harm, such as verbal insults, intimidation, threats, or isolation. Psychological abuse can have lasting effects, leading to anxiety, depression, or withdrawal from social interactions.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual elder abuse in nursing homes involves any form of unwanted sexual contact, including inappropriate touching, coercion, or harassment. Sadly, many residents in assisted living facilities, due to cognitive or physical impairments, are especially vulnerable to sexual abuse.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice in a nursing home setting can result from inadequate medical attention or improper care, leading to preventable issues such as bedsores, infections, and medication errors.

Negligence

Negligence occurs when nursing facilities fail to provide adequate care, harming residents. 

Examples of nursing home negligence include poor hygiene, which can lead to infections, or neglecting basic nutritional needs, causing malnutrition or dehydration. Another severe form of neglect is elopement, where a resident wanders unsupervised and may be exposed to physical harm.

Financial Abuse

Financial abuse is the unauthorized or illegal use of a nursing home resident’s funds or assets. This can involve staff members or others accessing bank accounts, altering wills, or manipulating residents into giving money or property.

Wrongful Death

In cases where abuse, neglect, or medical malpractice leads to a resident’s death, families may have grounds for a wrongful death claim. Wrongful death cases aim to hold responsible parties accountable for fatal injuries or conditions that could have been prevented with proper care.

Understanding Your Legal Rights

Federal and state laws protect assisted living facility residents, ensuring they receive proper care and are safe from elder abuse and nursing home neglect. These laws establish clear rights for residents in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other care settings.

One of the most significant federal protections is the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987, which sets standards for care in all nursing facilities receiving federal funding. 

This Act outlines a “Residents’ Bill of Rights,” guaranteeing that each resident has the right to be treated with dignity, to receive adequate medical care, to be free from abuse and neglect, and to make their own decisions about their medical treatment. 

Additionally, the Act prohibits unnecessary physical or chemical restraints, safeguarding residents’ freedom unless such measures are medically necessary.

In Ohio, assisted state-specific regulations also protect living facility residents. The Ohio Department of Health enforces these regulations to ensure nursing homes meet the highest standards of care. Ohio law requires nursing facilities to report suspected abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation to the appropriate authorities.

Eligibility to File a Claim 

When nursing home abuse or neglect is suspected, it’s essential to understand who has the legal right to file a claim. In general, the following parties can initiate legal action:

• The residents themselves if they are mentally and physically capable.
• A legal guardian or person with power of attorney if the resident cannot file due to cognitive or physical limitations.
• Family members on behalf of a deceased resident in cases of wrongful death, abuse, or neglect.
• An estate representative if the resident has passed away and elder abuse or nursing home neglect is suspected as a contributing factor to their death.

How Our Akron Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Can Help

At Nursing Home Law Center, our experienced nursing home abuse attorneys are dedicated to protecting the rights of assisted living facility residents and their families. Our team is committed to providing knowledgeable, compassionate guidance through each stage of the legal process.

Free Case Evaluation

Our firm offers a free consultation to evaluate your case. During this initial meeting, we will discuss the details of the abuse or neglect and assess potential legal options. This service allows you to understand the strength of your claim, receive insights on how best to proceed, and ask any questions you may have without any financial obligation.

Case Investigation

A thorough investigation is critical to building a solid case. Our attorneys gather all relevant information, including medical records, personal and medical records, and facility documents, and interview witnesses, nursing home staff, and other residents if needed.

Filing the Claim

Our team will handle the entire process of filing your claim against the nursing home, assisted living facility, or other responsible parties. We ensure all necessary documents are completed accurately and filed within the required time frame. Filing the claim is essential to establishing the basis of your case and asserting your loved one’s rights under state and federal laws.

Settlement Negotiation

Many nursing home abuse cases are resolved through settlements. Our attorneys have extensive experience negotiating with nursing facilities and their insurance providers to reach fair compensation for victims.

Trial Representation

We are fully prepared to take your case to trial if a fair settlement cannot be reached. Our attorneys are skilled litigators with a strong track record in nursing home abuse cases, and we will present your case effectively in court. 

We will represent your family’s interests, ensuring that the abuse, neglect, or wrongful actions are exposed and that you have the best possible chance of achieving justice for your loved one.

Common Signs of Elder Abuse Among Nursing Home Residents 

There are 129 Medicare-approved nursing homes in Akron, and many facilities are struggling with their overall ratings and inspections. Specifically, 59 of these homes, or 46%, have received an overall rating of below or much below average. 

Health inspections present challenges, as 62 facilities, or 48%, scored poorly in this category. Staffing levels are a critical concern, with 91 nursing homes (71%) receiving below-average ratings. However, the situation is more optimistic regarding quality measures, as only six nursing homes (5%) received low ratings in this area. [1]

Recognizing the signs of elder abuse in nursing home residents is critical for protecting your loved ones from harm.

• Unexplained bruises, cuts, or burns: Frequent or unexplained injuries, especially those that the resident or staff cannot clearly explain, may suggest abuse.
• Broken bones or fractures: Falls or other accidents can happen in assisted living facilities, but repeated fractures or severe injuries may indicate physical abuse or nursing home neglect.
• Marks from restraints: Bruising or sores around the wrists, ankles, or torso can indicate the improper use of physical restraints.
• Bedsores: Also known as pressure ulcers, bedsores typically develop when residents are not regularly moved or repositioned, indicating possible neglect.
• Signs of malnutrition or dehydration: Noticeable weight loss, sunken eyes, or dry skin may indicate inadequate nutrition and hydration, pointing to neglect.
• Withdrawal or depression: Sudden isolation, withdrawal from social activities, or loss of interest in hobbies may indicate mental and emotional abuse.
• Increased anxiety or fear: Signs of fear around certain staff members or extreme nervousness can suggest that the resident feels threatened or unsafe.
• Agitation or aggression: Psychological abuse can cause previously calm residents to become aggressive or combative, which is often a reaction to mistreatment.
• Unexplained bruising around sensitive areas: Bruising or pain around the thighs or genital area can be a sign of unwanted sexual contact.
• Torn or stained clothing: Torn undergarments or clothing that appears soiled without reason may indicate possible abuse.
• Unusual fear of physical contact: A sudden reluctance to be touched, even by family members, may indicate trauma related to elder abuse.
• Sudden changes in financial documents: Unauthorized changes to a will, power of attorney, or bank accounts are signs of potential financial manipulation.
• Unexplained withdrawals or charges: Strange charges on bank statements or missing funds may indicate someone is exploiting the resident’s finances.
• Missing personal items: If valuable items such as jewelry or personal belongings go missing, it could signal that someone is taking advantage of the resident’s vulnerability.
• Poor personal hygiene: Unclean clothing and poor grooming can indicate that nursing home staff does not assist the resident with bathing, changing clothes, or basic hygiene.
• Unsanitary living conditions: Dirty rooms and soiled bedding suggest a lack of regular maintenance and cleaning.
• Unattended medical needs: Missed medications, untreated infections, or lack of necessary medical attention indicate neglect by the nursing facility.

The worst-rated nursing homes in Akron include:

Contact an Akron Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Today!

With years of experience handling nursing home abuse and neglect cases, the Nursing Home Law Center is dedicated to protecting the rights of nursing home residents and securing justice for those who have experienced mistreatment.

Call us at (800) 926-7565 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn about your legal options.

References: [1] Medicare

Ohio Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

Our Ohio nursing home abuse lawyers are committed to serving clients across the state, including those in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo. Contact one of our experienced lawyers in your city today to get the legal support you deserve!