Cincinnati Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Across Ohio, nursing homes are meant to be sanctuaries of peace and comfort for elderly individuals. Families and other loved ones place their trust in these facilities and staff members to care for seniors in a safe and effective manner. When this trust is betrayed, it is understandable to feel angry, confused, and want to seek justice. Whether your loved one has faced sexual abuse from a staff member or physical neglect, a Cincinnati nursing home abuse lawyer can help.

At Spangenberg Shibley & Liber, our attorneys have worked to recover $1 billion on behalf of our injury and abuse clients over the years. We are dedicated to championing the rights of victims and their families, and we understand the profound and devastating impact nursing home abuse can have. Our team is here to guide you through the legal process and take the steps necessary to secure both the compensation and justice your family deserves.

If you suspect a loved one is being abused or neglected at a nursing home, or you are looking to refer a client to us, do not hesitate to pick up the phone. The team at Spangenberg Shibley & Liber is seasoned trial lawyers and can take a case before a judge and jury when necessary.

Get the Legal Help You Deserve: Over 1$ Billion Recovered With Spangenberg Shibley & Liber

With over 80 years of experience, the team at Spangenberg Shibley & Liber is committed to getting the results your family deserves after suffering the effects of nursing home abuse and neglect. We go the extra mile for our clients and treat every case that comes through our doors with an unwavering commitment to justice. When you work with us, you are not just another case number, but an individual who deserves adequate and trustworthy legal care and counsel.

Our attorneys have received a variety of accolades and distinctions, including being named in the 2016 and 2023 lists of Best Lawyers® in America and the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40. * Allow us to bring this level of integrity and legal excellence to your nursing home abuse case today.

Recently, we have recovered $8.5 million for a medical malpractice client, $28 million for a wrongful death client, and $5.5 million for a personal injury client. ** Our results speak for themselves. When you want an attorney who gets results and recovers full compensation on behalf of clients, look no further than Spangenberg Shibley & Liber.

Types of Nursing Home Abuse Suffered by Cincinnati Residents

In a nursing home, abuse can take many different forms and is extremely common. In fact, around two out of every three nursing home facility staff admit to committing some type of abuse during their career. If you have a loved one staying in a nursing home facility, it is important to be aware of what abuse can look like and the types of abuse that are most common.

In the Cincinnati area, the team at Spangenberg Shibley & Liber has handled nursing home abuse cases that include the following actions:

• Physical abuse. This can include any acts or threats of violence, such as pushing, shaking, hitting, scratching, or throwing objects at a resident. Any kind of physical pain or injury inflicted or threatened against an elderly resident can be considered physical abuse. It can also include any rough handling by facility staff members or other residents and result in broken bones, bruises, and lasting chronic pain.
• Sexual abuse. The sad reality is that nearly 7% of all nursing home abuse is sexual in nature. Any kind of inappropriate touching, sexual intercourse, fondling, or other related activity with a resident who is unable to understand what is happening or consent is considered sexual abuse. Likewise, if the sexual abuse is merely threatened or is forced physically against the victim, you and your loved ones deserve justice and compensation.
• Emotional abuse. This form of abuse is just as harmful and impactful as physical abuse. When a nursing home resident is yelled at, berated, demeaned, or threatened, it can cause them to suffer severe emotional damage. Emotional abuse can also include humiliating a resident or isolating them from others as a form of punishment. Emotional abuse can lead to a resident suffering anxiety, depression, and an overall sense of fearfulness.
• Financial exploitation. When a senior individual’s finances are misused or withheld, this can be an act of financial exploitation. Some staff members may be tempted to try to exploit your loved one for financial gain, especially if that loved one is suffering the symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer’s. Financial exploitation can include fraud, theft, or the unauthorized use of a resident’s credit card or cash.
• Confinement. When a resident is unnecessarily restrained or isolated, this can be considered an act of confinement and abuse when it is done so outside of normal medical reasons.
• Intentional deprivation. When a resident is denied necessary medical care, food, shelter, physical help, medications, or medical devices without cause or in an intentionally abusive manner, it can result in mental, physical, and emotional harm.

If your loved one is suffering any form of abuse at their nursing home or long-term care facility, you need to reach out to Spangenberg Shibley & Liber right away.

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse to Watch for

Since there are so many different types of abuse that can happen inside a nursing home in Cincinnati, there are a multitude of red flags or signs that should be watched for. When you go to visit a loved one in a nursing home, it is important to keep an eye out for certain injuries or behaviors that could point toward abuse. These signs include:

• Physical signs. Keep a watchful eye out for unexplained bruising, welts, or broken bones. For sexual abuse, any bruising that appears in the pelvic region could prove to be a red flag. Also watch for a lack of general hygiene, dental care, and head injuries. Bedsores, malnutrition, and signs of dehydration can also point to physical abuse.
• Financial signs. It is important to watch for any strange transactions or withdrawals regarding your loved one’s bank accounts or credit card usage. Financial exploration by a nursing home staff member can deplete a loved one’s account and make them rely more on certain programs, such as Medicaid.
• Emotional or psychological signs. For individuals who are suffering emotional or psychological abuse, watch for behaviors of depression, strange changes in mood, and emotional distress. They might also show signs of fear around certain staff members or become less likely to speak.
• Social signs. When a resident is kept from socializing and engaging with other residents or visitors as a means of abuse, they will likely begin to show signs of overall withdrawal and isolation.

If you suspect a loved one is suffering nursing home abuse, you need to trust your gut. When visiting, ask your loved one how they enjoy living at the home and gauge their response.

Understanding these signs is vital to the protection of your loved one’s rights and important when it comes to being able to advocate for your loved one. The unfortunate truth is that only one in every 24 cases of nursing home abuse is actually reported. This is often because many residents suffer from memory issues or are too scared to say anything themselves. That is where you step in and step up, and where we can advocate to protect your family.

Your Loved One’s Rights

Ohio relies on very strict and clear nursing home and resident care facility laws. Under these laws, all residents have rights that work to protect them from any neglect, harm, or abuse that could potentially arise. If you are in a nursing home or have a loved one living in a nursing home, understanding these rights is essential:

• Freedom from abuse. All residents inside nursing homes have the right to be free of any kind of abuse and deserve to be treated with care, respect, and dignity.
• Medical treatment. No matter a resident’s race, age, religion, or gender, they hold the right to necessary medical care and adequate treatment.
• Sanitary and safe environment. All nursing homes and other assisted living or senior living care facilities need to meet the standards of governmental programs like Medicaid and Medicare, as well as state laws and the requirements set out by the director of health.
• Reasonable request response. When a resident makes a request or asks a question, they are entitled to a quick response and should feel confident that their request or concerns have been heard.
• Fresh bedsheets and clothing. Nursing home residents have the right to clean clothes and bedsheets, and these items should be checked and changed on a regular basis.
• Knowledge of nurses and caretakers. Lastly, all residents have the right to know who oversees their care.

The bottom line is that all senior individuals have rights. When these rights are violated, justice needs to be served, and your family deserves compensation. Let Spangenberg Shibley & Liber hold the liable parties accountable for their abusive actions.

FAQs

Q: What Are My Options if I Suspect Nursing Home Abuse?

A: If you suspect nursing home abuse and if your loved one seems to be in immediate danger, you should call 911 right away. If the situation does not count as an emergency, you should simply start documenting the things you are seeing in a quiet manner. Do not yet draw attention to the issue. Once you have the evidence you think is necessary, you can make a report to the Ohio Department of Health before you contact an attorney.

Q: What Is the Difference Between Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect?

A: The main difference between nursing home abuse and nursing home neglect is that abuse is more often a deliberate act of harm against a victim, whereas neglect is a failure to act. Abuse happens when a staff member deliberately acts to cause a resident harm or threatens to cause them harm. Neglect can occur when a resident’s call goes unanswered or when a resident is left in soiled or dirty clothing.

Q: What Evidence Can Prove Helpful in a Nursing Home Abuse Claim?

A: There are a number of pieces of evidence that can prove helpful in a nursing home abuse claim. These pieces of evidence include detailed medical records of your loved one, eyewitness statements from those who watched the abuse or neglect take place, and timestamped photographs or videos of any injuries your loved one has received, such as bruises or bedsores.

Q: What Factors Can Cause Nursing Home Abuse?

A: In Ohio, there are a variety of factors that can result in nursing home abuse. First, when a facility does not hire enough staff or does not provide its staff with necessary training, it can increase the risk of nursing home abuse. Additionally, some nursing home facilities may decide to cut corners to save money, putting their own profit and pockets over people, which can lead to dangerous practices happening inside the facility.

Hire a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer With Over 80 years of Experience: Spangenberg Shibley & Liber

If you or a loved one has suffered abuse at a Cincinnati-area nursing home, now is the time to hire a nursing home abuse lawyer from Spangenberg Shibley & Liber. In Cincinnati, we aren’t afraid of holding accountable facilities like Oak Pavilion Nursing Center, Garden Park Health Care Center, Highlands Post-Acute, Harmon Court Rehab and Nursing, and Brookside Healthcare Center. We are fierce advocates in the courtroom and are ready to stand up for you.

Every individual has the right to safe and comfortable care as they age, and when this right is violated, you are entitled to seek legal help. Let Spangenberg Shibley & Liber help today. Call our offices to learn more about our services and schedule a consultation. When your loved one has been abused or neglected, we are here to pursue justice.

*Awards and recognition are not guarantees of future results. Selection criteria vary by organization.

**Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own merits.