Speak to an Ohio Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse Lawyer Now: (513) 721-3330
Nearly 1.3 million Americans currently live in nursing homes, and the need for nursing home care is predicted to grow. As this need increases, cases of elder abuse are rising along with it. RKPT is dedicated to advocating for those harmed by these avoidable and heartbreaking incidents. Backed by decades of experience, our team is ready to stand up for you.
What Constitutes Nursing Home Abuse?
Nursing home abuse involves causing harm, either deliberately or accidentally, to elderly individuals living in care facilities. This abuse can take many forms, including physical harm, emotional mistreatment, financial exploitation, sexual abuse, and neglect. This mistreatment can lead to severe health problems such as malnutrition, dehydration, infections, bedsores, and dangerous falls.
Elder neglect is a serious type of abuse. If a nursing home failed to care for you or a loved one, you have the right to file a nursing home lawsuit. Speak to the legal team at RKPT to learn more.
Speak to a Cincinnati Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer:
Call Us: (513) 721-3330
Why Should RKPT Represent You in Your Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Lawsuit?
Our compassionate and competent lawyers use their decades of experience to help you navigate your claim.
The nursing home negligence lawyers (Ohio) at RKPT are ready to help victims of nursing home abuse and neglect. We take pride in our proven track record and are honored to support victims of nursing home abuse. We have decades of experience handling cases of nursing home abuse. RKPT is here to provide the support you deserve.
If you or someone you love has experienced nursing home abuse, call us today for your free consultation: (513) 721-3330.
Recognizing Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
Nursing home elder abuse occurs often, affecting approximately 1 in 10 residents nationwide. With around 1.5 million Americans living in these facilities, that means roughly 150,000 individuals are at risk. Family members should be aware of the signs of nursing home neglect and report any signs of abuse right away.
If you or someone you love lives in a nursing home, be aware of these common indicators of abuse:
Unexplained Injuries or Bruising
Unexplained injuries or bruises can be a warning sign of physical abuse. Rough handling, misuse of restraints, and even acts of violence may result in these injuries. Bruises found on sensitive parts of the body are especially alarming and may suggest sexual abuse. It’s important to document any injuries of this nature. Doing so is one way to help protect vulnerable nursing home residents.
Lack of Hygiene or Dirty Living Conditions
Inadequate hygiene poses significant health dangers for nursing home residents. Unclean environments can lead to infections such as pressure ulcers, urinary tract infections, and pneumonia. Indicators of poor hygiene include unclean bathrooms or bedding and noticeable body odor. Often, these issues stem from a lack of appropriate staffing: both understaffing and lack of qualified staff. They can result in lowered cleanliness standards, leaving residents exposed to illness and unnecessary suffering.
Emotional Distress or Social Withdrawal
One sign of emotional abuse to look for is increased irritability or withdrawal. Watch for shifts in behavior, such as avoiding interactions with others, appearing fearful around specific staff members, or displaying symptoms of anxiety or depression. Verbal insults, intimidation, and threatening comments can cause lasting emotional harm. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities can be held accountable for allowing or contributing to this type of abuse.
Dehydration and Malnutrition
Dehydration and malnutrition occur when nursing home staff do not provide residents with sufficient food and hydration, respectively. Malnutrition can cause fatigue, weight loss, kidney problems, and other acute health issues. Poor feeding practices often indicate neglect and may reflect broader problems in the facility’s overall standard of care.
Bedsores
Also known as pressure ulcers, bedsores are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue that develop when a person remains immobile for too long without proper movement or care. These painful wounds are a clear indicator of neglect, as they typically result from poor hygiene and insufficient attention from caregivers. If not properly treated, bedsores can lead to infections such as gangrene or septicemia (also known as blood poisoning or sepsis), which can be life-threatening for nursing home residents.
Unusual Financial Activity
There are many kinds of financial abuse in nursing homes, including identity theft, unauthorized withdrawals, pressure to alter trusts or wills, and inflating charges for various services. Residents who depend on staff for help with money management are especially at risk. Families should be aware of their loved one’s financial accounts and should look out for any suspicious transactions and report any signs of potential abuse right away.
Nursing home abuse settlements can cover the cost of any additional medical care or other financial hardship resulting from the abusive incident(s). Contact RKPT immediately for a free consultation regarding your potential personal injury case at (513) 721-3330.
Ohio State Department of Health Abuse and Neglect Resource Center
Common Types of Nursing Home Abuse
RKPT represents clients in cases involving a variety of abuse, including:
General Neglect
Characterized by: Failure to Meet a Resident’s Basic Needs
General neglect happens when nursing home staff do not provide essential care, such as proper hydration, nutrition, hygiene, or medical attention. This kind of negligence can result in dehydration, malnutrition, infections, or untreated illnesses.
Common causes include understaffing, poor training, or a lack of concern for the welfare of residents. Families may notice warning signs like unclean conditions, sudden weight loss, or deteriorating hygiene.
An experienced nursing home abuse attorney can assist families in pursuing justice for neglect. Nursing home abuse lawyers investigate by collecting key evidence, such as eyewitness accounts, residents’ medical records, and facility documentation, to establish the facility’s liability. A nursing home abuse lawyer can help secure compensation for medical costs, emotional suffering, and other related damages.
Emotional Abuse
Characterized by: Psychological Manipulation and/or Verbal Intimidation
Emotional abuse of nursing home residents includes behaviors such as threats, manipulation, humiliation, isolation, or other actions that cause psychological or emotional harm to residents. This form of abuse can have lasting psychological effects, including anxiety, depression, social withdrawal, and fear of nursing home staff members. Warning signs may include drastic mood swings or an unwillingness to speak openly with loved ones.
A nursing home abuse attorney can support families in addressing emotional abuse by uncovering consistent patterns of mistreatment. They work to hold the facility accountable for creating or allowing a harmful environment, and they pursue compensation for the emotional suffering endured by the victim.
Physical Abuse
Characterized by: Injury from Improper Use of Restraints, Hitting, or Mishandling
Physical abuse in nursing homes refers to the intentional harm to nursing home residents. Hitting, rough handling, or the misuse of restraints all constitute physical abuse. Because elderly residents are often physically fragile, they are especially susceptible to sustaining serious injuries and are slower to heal from any injuries sustained as a result of physical abuse.
Common indicators of physical abuse include unexplained bruises, burns, broken bones, or scarring. In addition to physical pain, victims may also suffer emotional distress, and they may develop a fear of those meant to care for them.
A nursing home abuse attorney is essential in addressing these cases. They gather key evidence, such as medical documentation, photographs, and witness statements, to build a compelling claim. These lawyers pursue legal action and negotiate settlements to ensure victims are fairly compensated for their suffering and losses.
Sexual Abuse
Characterized by: Any Inappropriate or Non-Consensual Sexual Contact
Sexual abuse in nursing homes involves acts such as unwanted touching, rape, sexual assault, or coercion by staff of elderly residents. This abuse targets individuals who may be especially vulnerable due to physical frailty or cognitive impairments, making it difficult for them to protect themselves or to report the abuse.
Warning signs may include STIs, damaged clothing, unexplained injuries to the genital area, or sudden behavioral changes and emotional distress.
Nursing home abuse attorneys play a vital role in uncovering and pursuing justice in cases of sexual misconduct. They conduct thorough investigations, gather supporting evidence, and work to hold those responsible accountable, seeking compensation for both the physical harm and psychological trauma experienced by the victim.
Financial Abuse
Characterized by: Unauthorized Use of Funds, Deception, or Coercion
Financial exploitation in nursing homes happens when staff or others misuse a resident’s money or assets. Examples of financial exploitation include: fraudulent charges for care, theft, unauthorized bank withdrawals, and pressure to change wills or trusts. Elderly residents are especially vulnerable due to memory loss or limited contact with loved ones.
Red flags may include sudden changes in financial accounts, missed payments, or unexpected revisions to legal documents.
A nursing home abuse attorney can help identify and address financial exploitation by reviewing bank statements, legal paperwork, and interviewing potential witnesses. They work to recover stolen assets and pursue legal action to hold those responsible accountable.
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Common Questions about Nursing Home Neglect & Abuse:
What is nursing home abuse?
Nursing home abuse refers to any deliberate or careless action by caregivers, staff, or others that results in harm to residents of long-term care facilities. This abuse can manifest in various ways, such as physical injury, emotional suffering, sexual abuse, financial manipulation, or neglect.
By law, nursing homes are required to protect the safety and well-being of their residents. Additionally, victims of nursing home abuse and their families are often entitled to compensation.
A nursing home neglect attorney will investigate the case, collect evidence, and file legal claims against those responsible. Their goal is to obtain compensation for medical bills, emotional pain, and other damages caused by the abuse.
Call RKPT to discuss the process of filing a nursing home abuse case: (513) 721-3330.
What are the indicators of nursing home abuse?
The signs of nursing home abuse can vary widely and are dependent upon the type of mistreatment suffered. Typical indicators include sudden weight loss, dehydration, unexplained bruises, cuts, broken bones, bedsores, emotional distress, or unexpected changes in financial records. Changes in behavior, such as withdrawal from social interactions or fear of certain staff members, can also be warning signs.
A nursing home abuse lawyer can assist families in identifying these symptoms and pursuing legal remedies. They help gather crucial evidence and support families throughout the process of pursuing damages for their loved ones who have been harmed.
Has your loved one been harmed by nursing home abuse? Call RKPT now to speak to a nursing home abuse lawyer in Cincinnati. Call to begin your claim at (513) 721-3330.
How does nursing home abuse happen?
Nearly 1.5 million people reside in nursing homes or assisted living facilities. Estimates suggest that around 90% of these facilities are understaffed, making it difficult for them to provide adequate care to their residents. Consequently, about 1 in 10 residents experience some form of nursing home abuse or neglect.
Sadly, many cases of abuse and neglect go unreported. Because they often avoid facing repercussions, some nursing homes take risks with their residents’ well-being. This creates a cycle where these facilities continue to hire insufficiently trained staff members or they fail to hire enough staff members, prioritizing their bottom line over proper care for their vulnerable residents.
The effects of inadequate care can be severe. Residents may be left unattended for extended periods, suffer from malnutrition, dehydration, or emotional trauma. They may develop painful bedsores and become more susceptible to accidents and injuries.
Addressing nursing home abuse begins with recognizing the warning signs. It’s important to report any concerns immediately and to consult a nursing home abuse attorney when legal action is necessary.
Reach out to a nursing home neglect attorney today. (513) 721-3330.
What steps should I take if I suspect nursing home abuse?
If you believe a loved one is experiencing nursing home abuse, please take prompt action. Important steps in building a case include: Recording any evidence or signs of abuse and reporting your concerns right away to the facility’s management or local law enforcement. Additionally, reach out to a Cincinnati
nursing home abuse attorney who specializes in these cases for a free case review.
Residents of nursing homes deserve to be treated well; they have legal protections, and their family members have the right to seek legal recourse if abuse is suspected.
If you suspect a loved one is suffering elder abuse, call the Cincinnati, Ohio-based nursing home neglect attorneys at RKPT at (513) 721-3330.
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