Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorney Columbus, Ohio

Nursing home malpractice lawyers in Columbus ensure that the vulnerable people in nursing homes get the care they need and that practitioners are held accountable for their treatment of such people. Unfortunately, these kinds of issues can be all too common because research from the National Association of Nursing Home Attorneys suggests that 90% of nursing homes do not have enough staff for adequate care.

Furthermore, ten percent of elders over the age of sixty have been victims of some type of elder abuse; though, this is not always done by nursing homes and can be through children or spouses as well. However, it is clear that the treatment of those in nursing homes reflects the broader culture of mistreatment of the elderly and other disadvantaged parties.

What is Considered Negligence in Nursing Homes?

A Columbus nursing home negligence attorney will work hard to fight against negligence or abuse in nursing homes. Negligence refers to a case where a duty of care is established, and that care is not upheld, resulting in some type of damage (physical, financial, mental, etc.). Staff at nursing homes must take care of their residents, and the failure to tend to needs can result in legal action.

These issues can include not just typical neglectful care (as in ignoring or not responding to issues and patient needs) but outright abusive tactics as well. There are five major categories of elder abuse (while not all people in nursing homes are elders, 88 percent are over sixty-five):

Psychological abuse (11.6%)
Financial Exploitation (6.8%)
Sexual (6.8%)
Neglect (4.2%)
Physical abuse (2.6%)

Unfortunately, many nursing home issues are underreported or unreported, and only about one-fifth of abuse cases are reported. This is especially troublesome because people in nursing homes are often more prone to abuse. For example, dementia and disabilities can make it hard for those in nursing homes to realize what is happening or have the power to stop it. Additionally, families may also not realize what is going on.

What Laws Protect Nursing Home Patients?

Each state has an Adult Protection Services agency to ensure people are protected from this kind of abuse. There are also both federal and state laws that try to protect elders and disabled people. These laws can be hard for non-professionals to fully understand, and most people don’t have the time or energy to do extensive research on the topic. Therefore, a Columbus nursing home abuse and neglect attorney can walk you through the laws and how those laws protect those in nursing homes.

Situations Involving Abusive Care and Situations Involving Nursing Home Neglect

In these situations, finding the help of a legal team is a good choice because while people in nursing homes may not have the tools to help themselves, we do have those tools and the willingness to commit our resources to help those who are most vulnerable and have been neglected or abused by those who are supposed to care for them.

Can I sue the Nursing Home, Even if My Loved One Has No Written Contract with Them?

This is a question that is best answered through a consultation with a lawyer because more details about your case need to be determined prior to giving a clear answer. However, if a nursing home does not have a responsibility to care for your loved one, they cannot act negligently.

Where Do I File a Complaint Against Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect?

You’ll want to report suspected abuse to the nursing home itself, and you can also get information from the Ohio Department of Health for detailed instructions about filing a complaint.

Contact Attorneys for Help if You Believe You Have a Claim

If you’re looking for an attorney for nursing home abuse in Columbus, YD Legal can offer you expertise and quality services. We want to help you with nursing home abuse and neglect claims because we know how hard these cases are for families and want to give time-friendly and committed legal guidance. If you think that you have a claim, contact us for a free consultation, and together, we can determine if you have a viable case for this kind of issue.

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