Nursing homes and assisted care facilities have a duty under the law to keep their residents safe from harm. Allowing intentional forms of abuse to occur is an obvious violation of this duty. However, nursing homes also must provide a safe environment and adequate care, including nutrition and hydration. Nursing home residents often rely on nurses and aides to ensure proper intake of food and water.
If your loved one lives in an assisted living facility that failed to provide for their basic needs, a Columbus dehydration and malnutrition lawyer may be able to help. At O’Connor, Acciani & Levy, our dedicated nursing home abuse attorneys can investigate the source of the mistreatment and hold negligent nursing homes responsible for their failures.
Duties of Assisted Living Facilities in Columbus
All long-term care facilities have a legal duty to care for their residents’ needs. This includes providing competent nursing care as well as ensuring that residents receive proper nutrition. In fact, the state legislature passed a Nursing Home Residents’ Bill of Rights addressing this duty. Under Ohio Revised Statute § 3721.13, the law protects the dignity, health, and personal rights of nursing home residents.
On proper nutrition and hydration, subsection (A) (3) says that nursing homes must provide all ancillary services necessary for complete and appropriate care. This means that the facilities must provide proper food and drink to all residents. As a result, residents suffering from malnutrition or dehydration have experienced a violation of their rights under the law. A knowledgeable local attorney could further explain how these laws create legal liability for assisted living facilities that do not provide proper food and water.
Claims for Dehydration and Malnutrition in Nursing Homes
Any violation of the Nursing Home Residents’ Bill of Rights allows a victim and their family to demand compensation from the negligent nursing home. Particularly for people already in frail health, dehydration or malnutrition can have a devastating impact. Claims for compensation may seek out payments for the costs of necessary medical care as well as the emotional traumas that can result from this neglect.
A lawyer who focuses on dehydration and malnutrition lawsuits in Columbus can be a crucial advocate when pursuing a claim. A skilled attorney could investigate the incident, evaluate the available evidence, determine how the event has affected the resident, and demand appropriate compensation.
Deadlines for Nursing Home Mistreatment Claims
At O’Connor, Acciani & Levy, our well-practiced attorneys can also help a victim and their family meet the legal requirements for nursing home mistreatment claims. Ohio Revised Code § 2305.10 says that people who suffer personal injuries only have two years after the incident to demand compensation. It is crucial to contact a Columbus dehydration and malnutrition attorney as soon as possible to retain one’s right to file a claim and hold the negligent nursing home accountable.
Contact a Columbus Dehydration and Malnutrition Attorney Today
Residents of nursing homes have protections under the law. This includes the right to receive proper food and drink, even if they are unable to obtain these items on their own. Failure to provide proper nutrition and hydration for vulnerable residents can lead to severe or even fatal harm.
If you or a loved one have suffered harm in a nursing home due to poor nutrition or hydration, you have the right to seek compensation. A Columbus dehydration and malnutrition lawyer can walk you through the process of seeking justice and obtaining the restitution you deserve. Give us a call today to set up an initial consultation.
