Nursing home abuse is inexcusable. Unfortunately, thousands of residents are abused each year, and sometimes no one catches it. This is a real problem in Ohio, and our firm is committed and experienced in helping nursing home abuse victims. Contact Tittle & Perlmuter today if you are being abused in a nursing home or if you suspect a loved one has suffered abuse. Many vulnerable people are unable to speak for themselves once they go into a nursing home. They might struggle with dementia or have lost the ability to speak. It’s up to all of us to hold nursing homes accountable for the abuse in their facilities. A Sandusky nursing home abuse lawyer can explain more if you call us.
Nursing Home Abuse is Unacceptable
Too many residents are treated poorly in a nursing home. Some of them end up seriously injured, while others might lose their lives due to neglect. Abuse often results in serious problems, such as:
- Bed sores
- Infections and sepsis
- Fractures
- Concussions
- Sexual assault
- Dehydration and malnutrition
- Chemical restraint
- Organ failure
- Depression and social withdrawal
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Theft
Call our firm to speak with a Sandusky nursing home abuse lawyer today. We can investigate what happened. The nursing home might give you the runaround or say they’re “investigating,” but you never hear from them. When you involve a lawyer, they often take complaints more seriously.
Red Flags in Nursing Homes Sandusky, Ohio
Many of our loved ones cannot speak out when they are in a nursing home. Perhaps they fear retribution from their abuser if they complain. Others simply cannot speak because they are incapacitated, suffering from dementia, or struggling with severe illness.
Nursing home abuse and neglect has certain red flags you should watch out for:
- Unexplained bruises or cuts;
- Dramatic changes in your loved one’s mood or behavior;
- Reversion to childlike behavior, such as thumb sucking;
- Fear of certain staff members;
- Lack of cleanliness in the room;
- Unexplained withdrawals from your loved one’s bank account;
- New credit cards taken out in an elderly person’s name.
An Ohio nursing home abuse attorney can explain other red flags in a private consultation.
Why Abuse & Neglect Happen in Nursing Homes in Sandusky, OH
There are many reasons why nursing home abuse takes place:
- Understaffing. Some facilities struggle to hire enough staff. As a result, employees feel overwhelmed and act out, sometimes violently. In other cases, staff can’t watch what’s happening, and another resident assaults your loved one. Understaffing might also be a choice: the nursing home is cutting corners by not hiring enough people.
- Greed. Most people steal from the elderly because of greed. They see a vulnerable person and take advantage.
- Failure to supervise. Nursing homes should supervise their staff. Some are struggling with drug addiction or mental health problems themselves and shouldn’t be working.
- Negligent hiring. A long-term care facility should properly vet staff before hiring them. Unfortunately, they don’t perform a background check or ignore red flags in an applicant’s history, like prior convictions for violence.
You need someone to dig in and investigate on behalf of your loved one.
Steps to Take to Respond to Abuse in a Nursing Home Sandusky, Ohio
Do you think a loved one is being abused but aren’t sure? We highly recommend calling our law firm to speak with an attorney. We also recommend:
- Reporting your suspicions to the nursing home. They should investigate if staff are abusing or harassing residents.
- Document your suspicions. If a loved one is acting strangely, you can record a conversation on your phone. Take photographs of any bruises or cuts on their body.
- Visit at unusual times. Staff might get used to your routine and have sufficient staff during those hours. Change up your visitation schedule, and you might catch abuse or chaos in the nursing home.
- Reach out to our Sandusky nursing home abuse lawyer. We can discuss the next steps.
It is critical to protect your loved one during this difficult time. Too many nursing home residents are vulnerable and cannot advocate for themselves.
How a Sandusky Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Can Help
Our firm leverages the legal system to protect vulnerable people. Your loved one might be entitled to financial compensation for any abuse or neglect suffered in a nursing home. We have sought damages for medical care, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other losses.
Abuse victims can certainly sue their abuser. However, we have had better luck bringing claims against the facility directly. Nursing homes should have insurance to pay out a settlement, especially when the home was negligent. As an example, if the home failed to perform a thorough background check on a staff member, and management ignored complaints of abuse, then the home is liable for injuries.
Let us review the facts and search for evidence. Unfortunately, the home has most of the evidence in its possession. They might resist turning it over, so we can use the legal process to protect a loved one’s rights.
Call to Speak with a Sandusky Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Today
No senior should be abused in a nursing home or other facility. We entrust them to take care of vulnerable loved ones, and families naturally feel a sense of outrage when abuse happens. Contact us to discuss the next steps.
