I have news that is both shocking and sad. The Cleveland PD recently reported that our nursing homes are among the nation’s lowest rated. And if that isn’t enough, the people who are responsible for policing the nursing homes have been deemed wholly inadequate.
What is most troubling to me is that the victims are our most cherished, deserving, loved ones. These are the people who worked hard their entire lives to make our lives better. They are in the twilight, golden years and they should be treated with the highest degree of dignity and respect.
Instead, nursing homes only care about one thing, profit and the bottom line.
Consequently, they are purposely understaffed. To compound that problem, the personnel is not trained and/or supervised properly.
The state of Ohio provides inspectors to survey each and every nursing home. There are currently 960 nursing homes in Ohio and only 153 inspectors! This significantly disproportionate ratio has resulted in negative side effects for nursing home facilities AND residents.
In the last two years, Ohio has failed to meet federal deadlines for nursing home inspections.
The appallingly low number of Ohio inspectors oversees 960 nursing homes, 600 assisted living centers, and may investigate up to 2,000 complaints per year. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services require states to complete inspections within 12.9 month intervals.
Ohio’s average interval for nursing home inspections in 2016 was 13.8 months; the year before that was 14.4 months. While the average decreased, these numbers are still utterly unacceptable if we are to provide proper care and safe living environment for our sick and elderly!
In the past 3 years, there have been a minimum—most nursing home neglect injuries go unreported—of 31 nursing home deaths attributed to poor quality in care. A lack on inspectors and yearly inspections will continue to result in dangerous and fatal outcomes.
For 40 Years, I have represented the victims of nursing home neglect and abuse. These are among the most disturbing and troubling cases that I have ever handled. The reason is that the victim is oftentimes most vulnerable because they are frail and disoriented, and fall easy-prey to ambivalent, poorly trained, and understaffed facility.
We know two things for sure.
Nursing homes in Ohio are ranked among the lowest in the entire nation and the people responsible for evaluating, and policing these institutions have been deemed by independent third parties as insufficient.
This is where I come in.
Oftentimes, I change the way nursing homes do business. By holding them accountable, I force them to change their practices and policies. My goal is that the tragedy that befell my client because of nursing home neglect and abuse will NEVER happen to anyone ever again.
If you suspect that a friend and/or a loved one has received substandard care and, consequently, suffered significant, permanent injuries, it is compelling to call me.
Only then will we be in a position to make real changes and protect our loved ones.
I’m happy to meet with you and your family at a time and place most convenient for you. As your Ohio nursing home negligence attorney, I’ll be there for you, and I’ll Make Them Pay!®
Author: Tim Misny | For over four decades, personal injury lawyer Tim Misny has represented the injured victim in in birth injury, medical malpractice, and catastrophic injury/wrongful death cases, serving Cleveland, Akron/Canton, Columbus, Dayton and neighboring communities. You can reach Tim by email at misnylaw.com/ask-tim-a-question/ or call at 855.800.0384.
