If you have entrusted the care of elderly family members to a nursing home, you rightfully expect compassionate staff and well-maintained facilities. Unfortunately, assisted living residents may be harmed by neglectful staff or inadequate facilities.

If you are concerned that your loved one is receiving substandard treatment at a care facility, contact a Cleveland nursing home negligence lawyer to help. A diligent personal injury attorney may be able to guide you through filing a claim and protect your family member’s rights.

What is Nursing Home Abuse?

Many families rely on assisted living facilities to care for their aging loved ones. Unfortunately, nursing home neglect and abuse are serious problems. Approximately 15,000 retirement home neglect cases are reported each year in the state alone, although it is likely that the actual number is much higher.

Many cases go unreported because elderly nursing home residents may fear repercussions for speaking up or cannot advocate for themselves. Signs of carelessness in assisted living homes include:

  • Untreated bedsores
  • Inadequate medical care
  • Malnutrition
  • Dehydration
  • Preventable accidents
  • Inadequate sanitation and hygiene

These symptoms could lead to severe injuries and even death. If a loved one has any of these nursing home neglect symptoms, a steadfast attorney in Cleveland could get a family the care and justice needed.

What Rights do People in Assisted Care Homes Have?

Under Ohio Revised Code § 3721.13, state residents have certain rights when they enter an assisted care facility. These rights include:

  • A safe and sanitary living space, including clean sheets and a bed
  • To be free from abuse and exploitation
  • Access to medical treatment and to see a doctor of their choosing
  • Have reasonable requests honored
  • Privacy during medical treatments
  • Civil rights
  • To religious and cultural practices

If someone living in a nursing home does not have access to all these rights, they may be suffering from abuse or carelessness. A dedicated Cleveland retirement home abuse attorney could help a family determine if their loved one has been mistreated.

Taking Action Against Nursing Facility Abuse

Someone concerned about mistreatment in a retirement home has several options they can take. They could report the abuse or ask questions with a state facility, or they could work with a lawyer to file a claim against the at fault party.

Reporting Nursing Home Neglect

There are several ways someone could notify authorities about a problem at a specific facility. The Ohio Department of Health (DOH) provides a toll-free hotline that people with concerns may call and accepts online or emailed complaints.

A lawyer could also answer any questions or concerns someone might have. Enlisting the aid of an experienced assisted care facility mistreatment attorney in Cleveland may be a good option for complex situations or if the abused resident cannot advocate for themselves.

Filing a Lawsuit for Assisted Living Facility Neglect

A well-practiced lawyer may be able to file a legal claim on behalf of the injured person or their family. A claim could help someone receive compensation for their losses like the fees they paid to the facility, medical bills for their injuries, and expenses related to moving to a different assisted care facility.

Call a Cleveland Nursing Home Negligence Lawyer Now

If you are concerned about how you or your loved one is being treated at a retirement facility, contact a Cleveland nursing home negligence lawyer for help. An attorney may be able to provide guidance through the reporting process and file a lawsuit claiming financial compensation for the mistreatment suffered.

Because retirement home neglect cases could be complex, it may take a significant amount of time to navigate through the process. To ensure that you get the most compensation for your case, contact a dedicated local attorney now.