PROTECTING OUR OHIO ELDERS FROM ABUSE & NEGLECT
We trust nursing homes, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and at-home providers to care for our loved ones. Unfortunately, that trust is too often betrayed. According to the National Council on Aging, approximately 1 in 10 Americans aged 60 and over have experienced some form of elder abuse.
Elder abuse can take many forms, including neglect, physical abuse, and failing to provide proper care. Unfortunately, most incidences of abuse go unreported because the victims of the abuse are afraid or embarrassed to come forward. Because of this, it is critical that if you have a family member that you suspect is being abused or neglected, you contact one of Burg Simpson’s nursing home abuse lawyers in Cincinnati today. Our dedicated and compassionate team of Cincinnati nursing home abuse attorneys can help fight for the compensation you and your family deserve. Fill out our FREE Case Evaluation form, or call us at 513-852-5600 to find out how we can help you.
TYPES OF ELDER ABUSE AND NEGLECT
Elder abuse and neglect can take many forms and is frequently perpetrated by caregivers and other nursing home or assisted living staff. The most frequent types of elder abuse, according to the National Council on Aging, include:
- Passive neglect: A failure to provide an older adult with basic necessities, including, but not limited to, food, clothing, shelter, or medical care.
- Physical abuse: Physical pain and/or injury inflicted on a senior.
- Sexual abuse: Any touching, fondling, intercourse, or any other sexual activity with an older adult, when that person is unable to understand or consent, is threatened, or forced physically.
- Emotional abuse: This can include verbal assaults, threats of abuse, harassment, and/or intimidation.
- Confinement: Restraining and/or isolating a senior resident, aside from medical reasons.
- Willful deprivation: Denying an older adult medication, medical care, shelter, food, a therapeutic device, or other physical assistance, and exposing that person to the risk of physical, mental, or emotional harm.
- Financial exploitation: The misuse or withholding of a senior’s financial resources by another.
If you have a loved one living at an assisted care facility or nursing home and you suspect any kind of neglect or abuse, call one of our Cincinnati personal injurylawyers for help right now at 513-852-5600. Do not wait, your consultation is free.
SIGNS OF ELDER ABUSE AND NEGLECT
While few researchers can agree on the prevalence of nursing home abuse and neglect, nearly all researchers agree that it is vastly underreported. In fact, one study suggests that only 1 out of every 24 cases actually gets reported to authorities. According to the National Council on Aging, there are several warning signs to look for, such as:
- Bedsores
- Poor hygiene
- Unusual weight loss
- Unattended medical needs
- Unexplained bruises, cuts, or other injuries
- Broken bones
- Unexplained death
- New diagnosis of a sexually transmitted disease
- Unexplained withdraw from normal activities
- Sudden change in alertness
- Unusual depression, crying
- Unusual agitation or fear
Please note that just because someone has one or more of the above signs does not necessarily mean that abuse has happened. However, if you notice signs of elder abuse, be vigilant. Ask questions of staff and others. If their explanations do not make sense and you reasonably suspect abuse, call our nursing home abuse lawyers in Cincinnati, OH to discuss your legal options.
REPORTING ELDER ABUSE
If you suspect abuse, you may be required to report it to authorities. Almost every state has “mandatory reporting laws,” or laws that require some or all people to report suspected abuse. In some states, such as Kentucky, the duty to report suspected abuse is mandatory. In other words, failing to report a reasonable suspicion of elder abuse in Kentucky is a crime. In other states, such as Ohio, only certain people, such as health care professionals, are required to report suspected abuse; however, any person who reasonably suspects abuse can report it. In both Ohio and Kentucky, reporting a reasonable suspicion of abuse is protected: You will not face a lawsuit or criminal liability if you reasonably suspect abuse and report that suspicion to authorities.
To report elder abuse in Kentucky, call the Cabinet for Health and Family Services’ abuse hotline: 1-877-597-2331.
To report elder abuse in Ohio, you may file a report with your county department of job and family services by phone, mail, fax or you can call 1-855-OHIO-APS (1-855-644-6277).
If you are not sure whether you need to report suspected abuse, contact the elder abuse attorneys at Burg Simpson’s Cincinnati office. Our dedicated and compassionate nursing home abuse attorneys will help you navigate the mandatory reporting requirements. Fill out our FREE Case Evaluation form or call us at 513-852-5600 to find out how we can help you.
YOU MUST ACT NOW
There are two reasons that you must act quickly if you suspect elder abuse. First, and most importantly, elder abuse causes far too many older adults to suffer and must be stopped. Secondly, there are time limits on when one can file a nursing home abuse lawsuit. This time limit varies by state, but it can be as little as one year. Therefore, as soon as you suspect elder abuse or neglect, contact one of Burg Simpson’s nursing home neglect attorneys today.
BURG SIMPSON’S NURSING HOME ABUSE LAWYERS IN CINCINNATI ARE HERE TO HELP
Burg Simpson has a reputation for standing up for those seriously injured by others. As part of a national firm, Burg Simpson has the resources to fight for our elders, even against the biggest nursing homes and healthcare providers in the United States. We can help you too!
Call the nursing home negligence attorneys in Burg Simpson’s Cincinnati, Ohio office today at 513-852-5600 or fill out our free case evaluation form now to discuss your case with us.
