216-658-5500Call Us Today
216-658-5500Call Us Today
When a loved one becomes unable to care for themselves, you might need to find a nursing home or assisted living facility that can look after their needs. It can be difficult to determine which facility is a good match for your loved one. Sometimes, even wonderful facilities hire staff who don’t appropriately care for the residents. If your loved one is abused, a Parma nursing home abuse lawyer can help you with the necessary legal recourse.
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Nursing home abuse comes in many forms and can lead to criminal or civil claims, depending on the nature of the abuse. With over 40 years of experience representing victims of nursing home abuse, Rumizen Weisman Attorneys understand how devastating this situation can be for a family. When you hire a nursing home abuse lawyer, you gain an advocate for your loved one to ensure their rights are upheld.
It can be a difficult decision to place the care of a loved one in the hands of an unfamiliar nursing home or assisted living facility. There are many reasons why someone may need to live in such a facility, but old age is the most common. In Parma, roughly 20% of the population is over the age of 65.
In 2024, the World Health Organization released a report examining elder abuse in the community and in institutional settings. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, rates of elder abuse have increased. Staff were questioned on their rates of resident abuse across several different categories of abuse. They self-reported an abuse rate of 64.2%. Residents reported:
While studies have shown that 1 in 6 elderly Americans are victims of abuse from any source, only 1 in 14 to 24 cases are reported.
To file a civil claim against the abuser, Parma residents can file at the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas. Criminal cases for misdemeanors are handled at the Parma Municipal Court, while felony charges are filed at the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas.
Living in a nursing home includes routine interactions with many different people. Residents often have interactions with nurses, therapists, doctors, staff members, administrators, and other residents. These frequent interactions can lead to different forms of abuse. Common forms of abuse include:
It is difficult to determine the actual odds of winning an abuse claim against a nursing home. However, nursing home abuse claims with strong evidence have a good chance of receiving a settlement. Thorough documentation and proof of the abuse presented by an experienced Parma nursing home abuse attorney increases the chances of a successful outcome. While most cases settle out of court, those that win at trial often receive large settlements.
There is no set length of time for a claim against a nursing home in Ohio, but some factors can influence the length of time the claim takes to complete. Case complexity plays a large role in how quickly a claim can be resolved. The court’s level of backlog and the availability of witnesses can also influence how long a claim takes. Settling out of court is often the quickest method.
Negligence in a nursing home can be demonstrated in various ways. Medical negligence could be residents receiving the wrong medication, infections not being properly treated, or failing to provide appropriate medical care. Physical negligence is seen through dehydration, malnutrition, or improper hygiene. Emotional negligence includes residents being isolated or family being discouraged from visiting.
If you suspect nursing home abuse, there are several types of evidence you can collect to strengthen your claim, including:
The biggest complaint regarding nursing homes is neglect. Neglect can be in the form of poor hygiene, untreated medical conditions, failure to respond to needs, or lack of supervision. All of these actions can lead to physical and emotional harm for residents.
Residents may lack clean linens, or their rooms may not be cleaned properly. Dehydration, malnutrition, or unexplained weight loss are also indicators of neglect. Becoming withdrawn, agitated, or expressing fear of a staff member are also signs.
When you discover that a loved one has been abused by the people who were entrusted with their care, it can be extremely frustrating. As you remove your loved one from the care facility and find alternative care, you may have little time to think about filing a claim against the abuser or the care facility. Let our team handle the legal recourse while you focus on your family. Contact Rumizen Weisman Attorneys to schedule your initial consultation.
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