CINCINNATI ELDERLY ABUSE LAWYERS

Elder abuse of senior citizens and dependent adults is a growing problem. Personal injury attorneys at the law offices of O’Connor Acciani & Levy, LLC, have the experience and knowledge to defend nursing home residents who have suffered from poor treatment at the facilities where they live and receive medical care.

The population of elderly citizens in our society is increasing due to longer life expectancies and improved medical technology. Many of these citizens are at the mercy of caregivers, being physically or mentally handicapped and unable to perform the routine tasks of daily living. Sadly, statistics show that nearly one third of this elderly population has suffered verbal, financial, physical and even sexual abuse, as well as neglect from public and private health care providers.

There is a law protecting elders, which until recently, has seldom been enforced. It is The Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act. Our personal injury lawyers have used this law to defend the basic rights and dignity of elders and dependent adults against nursing homes, hospitals and sometimes their own families.

Elder abuse is often reported by friends or family members of the abused and neglected senior citizen. At the Law Offices of O’Connor Acciani & Levy, LLC, our personal injury lawyers aggressively fight the abuses suffered by vulnerable senior clients, frequently securing settlements without long court battles.

Nursing homes are required by law to "provide services and activities to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident." This includes providing medical attention when needed and maintaining a safe environment, free of falling hazards as well as preventing such conditions as pressure bed sores for patients who are confined to beds and wheel chairs. To read the complete regulations, refer to the Code of Federal Regulations, Book 42, Part 483.

Nursing homes are inspected annually by the State Department of Health and Human Services to ensure compliance with the above regulations. In spite of this, violations have been increasing; between 1996 and 2000, the number of nursing home infractions doubled. Common deficiencies are responsible for severe weight loss, broken bones, and death in nursing home populations. Many times, complaint investigations are delayed for months, endangering the lives and well-being of this vulnerable population.

Physically and mentally disabled seniors, handicapped adults and their families are dependent on nursing homes to ensure personal safety and proper care. Many residents are unable to communicate or report incidents of abuse. Not only are elders easy prey for the abuser, they are often lonely and eager for companionship; these desires cloud their judgment.

Here are steps to take when you encounter elder abuse or nursing home violations:

• Immediately contact a personal injury attorney
• File a formal complaint with the state
• Notify the responsible party at the facility of your complaint
• Save any evidence of elder abuse and photograph sores or injuries where possible

The most effective means of reducing elder abuse is to punish those responsible to the full extent of the law. Our personal injury attorneys at the law offices of O’Connor Acciani & Levy, LLC have won elder abuse settlements for many clients. Allow us to evaluate your case at no charge. We collect no payment until we win your personal injury settlement. Click here or call 513-241-7111 to contact an elder abuse attorney and begin pursuing justice for your loved ones.