Nursing home neglect is very dangerous, and it is abuse, even though it is often unintentional on the part of nursing home staff. Neglect and other forms of abuse can occur in nursing homes that appear very nice and where the staff seems kind and caring. If your loved one has been harmed by nursing home neglect, please talk to the Ohio nursing home neglect lawyer of The Thompson Law Firm right away.
Examples of Nursing Home Neglect
Many nursing home residents need a level of constant care and attention that families simply cannot provide at home. Some need assistance that family members do not have the training or physical strength to provide. Failure to provide any of the following constitutes nursing home neglect:
- Adequate nutrition and hydration, which may entail a special diet to meet specific needs
- Assistance with eating if needed
- Turning and moving of immobile residents
- Supervision, not to be replaced with chemical or physical restraints
- Medical care
- Medications
- Assistance to prevent falls if needed, including assistance with walking or transferring from the bed to a chair
- Hygiene
- Clean clothing and bedding
- Assistance with bathroom needs
- Proper safety equipment such as handrails and grab bars
- Protection from safety hazards including obstacles and spills
- Protection from assaults and abuse by nursing home staff members, other residents, visitors, and intruders
Signs of Nursing Home Neglect
Some warning signs, such as strong odors and general uncleanliness, are easy to spot. However, nursing home neglect can occur in homes that are clean and tidy and which appear to be adequately staffed during visiting hours. The symptoms of nursing home neglect can mimic the signs of decline we expect to see in old age, and can include:
- Weight loss
- Confusion, incoherence, or dementia
- Bedsores
- Infections
- Falls
- Sunburn
- Injuries
- Illnesses
- General decline in physical or mental health
- Sedation
- Restraints
- Changes in behavior
If your loved one has been the victim of nursing home neglect in Ohio, please call a nursing home neglect lawyer of The Thompson Law Firm at 1-614-461-9000 or toll free 1-800-461-9013 or submit an online questionnaire. The initial consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to handle your case, we will work on a contingency fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary recovery of funds. In many cases, a lawsuit must be filed before an applicable expiration date, known as a statute of limitations. Please call right away to ensure that you do not waive your right to possible compensation.
