Nursing Home Abuse Attorney – Akron & Canton, Ohio

When you’ve entrusted your loved one to an Akron or Canton, Ohio nursing home facility, it can be heartbreaking to discover that your loved one is experiencing nursing home abuse or nursing home neglect. But, you’re not alone. The New York Times reported that more than 90% of nursing homes were cited for violations of federal health and safety standards in 2007. If you suspect that your loved one is being abused, it is important to take action. Nursing home abuse is illegal.

What is Nursing Home Abuse?

Nursing home abuse, itself a form of elder abuse, can be carried out either by nursing home staff or by other residents in the facility. It is defined as causing intentional harm and may include:

• Physical abuse – hitting, pinching, poking, shoving, slapping, force-feeding, scratching or spitting. Also: rough handling during care giving
• Psychological abuse or mental abuse – cursing at a resident, threatening a resident with punishment or deprivation, ignoring a resident or ridiculing a resident
• Sexual abuse – improper touching or coercion to perform sexual acts
• Substandard care resulting in immobilization, incontinence, dehydration, pressure sores and depression

Many cases of resident abuse are a result of another resident and may be due to insufficient evaluations of residents prior to allowing them access to other residents.

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

There are many warning signs that your loved one is being abused. These may include:

• Injuries - bruises, cuts, burns, broken bones or pressure sores
• Sudden personality changes including uncharacteristic anger, anxiety or lack of interest in activities or things they used to care about
• Depression, sadness, frequent crying
• Staff refusing to allow family members to visit with their loved ones alone or refusing access altogether during times that are usually acceptable visiting hours
• Rude or other inappropriate comments by staff members or volunteers
• Frequent complaints by the resident, often directed at a particular staff member

If you believe that your loved one is being abused in their nursing home, speak up. Registered nurse attorney Angela Vagotis is an experienced nursing home abuse attorney. Her extensive background and experience with the nursing profession can help your loved ones get the justice and compensation they deserve. Contact Angela at 330-456-4122 or fill out this form.

Carefully investigating and vetting facilities before placing a loved one can help decrease the chances of abuse. Click here to read our tips on how to assess long-term care facilities.