If you lost a loved one while they were at a nursing home, we are so sorry for your loss. If their death was due to negligence or abuse, our Hamilton nursing home wrongful death lawyers can help you hold the responsible parties financially accountable.
The Hamilton nursing home abuse lawyers at Shore Law have over 40 years of combined experience. Our founding attorney, Megan Shore, is a recognized leader in nursing home abuse and neglect cases.
Reach out today to schedule a free consultation with our legal team.
How Our Nursing Home Wrongful Death Lawyers in Hamilton Help
The loss of a loved one is devastating. When their loss was preventable, such as from an untreated infection or a slip and fall involving a hazard, you may wonder how to hold someone accountable and how to stop this from happening to someone else’s family. The legal team at Shore Law can help.
Our Hamilton personal injury lawyers can:
- Investigate to determine whether negligence or abuse led to your loved one’s passing.
- Determine all liable parties.
- Gather evidence to support your claim.
- Handle all communications with insurance adjusters.
- File necessary paperwork and help keep your case documentation organized and accurate.
- Represent your case in court when necessary.
Our results include over $250 million recovered for injury victims and their families. We offer compassionate, dedicated, and respectful legal services.
Affording Legal Help
If you are worried about the cost of legal services, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means that instead of upfront costs, our fees are taken as a percentage of the compensation we recover. If we are unable to recover compensation, then you won’t owe us anything.
What Compensation Can Be Recovered in Nursing Home Wrongful Death Cases?
During this difficult time, you may also face the financial stress of a death. Fair compensation for a wrongful death should account for the full scope of losses that a family has suffered. Our legal team will seek compensation based on the losses supported by your claim.
You may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses related to the abuse or neglect.
- Funeral costs.
- Burial or cremation costs.
- The loss of emotional support.
- Your loved one’s pain and suffering.
We will seek the maximum compensation for your case.
Ohio Laws Affecting Wrongful Death Cases in Hamilton
Ohio’s statute of limitations for wrongful death cases is an important legal deadline for your case. While you generally have two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit, there can be exceptions when nursing homes are involved.
If medical malpractice is believed to have led to the death, such as untreated bedsores or an undiagnosed infection, then you typically only have one year to pursue a lawsuit. Always talk to your Hamilton nursing home wrongful death attorney about the expected timeline for your case.
Another important Ohio law is the Nursing Home Residents’ Bill of Rights, Ohio Revised Code Section 3721.13, which grants certain rights and protections to nursing home residents. It requires nursing homes and other long-term care facilities to provide safe environments for residents. Showing that a nursing home failed to do so can provide a strong basis for your claim.
What Evidence Is Needed for Nursing Home Wrongful Death Cases in Hamilton?
To prove that abuse or neglect led to a nursing home resident’s death, your lawyer will investigate the circumstances and gather evidence. The needed evidence will depend on what happened.
For example, if a loved one slipped and fell because of hazardous conditions, then your lawyer will need to prove that the nursing home knew, or should reasonably have known, about the hazard. On the other hand, if bedsores led to a fatal infection, your lawyer will need to prove that the infection was due to negligent medical care.
Who May Be At Fault?
In some cases, a sole individual may be at fault. In others, the nursing home administration may also be at fault. For example:
- Nursing home staff, if they abused or neglected a nursing home resident.
- A doctor or other medical professional, if they did not follow standard medical procedures.
- Nursing home administration, if they had negligent hiring or training practices or failed to fix a hazardous condition.
What Evidence May Be Helpful?
Helpful evidence can include:
- Witness statements, such as from other residents, staff, or visitors.
- Video footage, such as security camera footage of a fall.
- Medical records.
- Nursing reports.
- Hiring records.
- Incident or police reports.
- Digital communication, such as emails, from nursing home staff or administration.
- Photographs of hazardous or unsanitary conditions.
Your lawyer will use the evidence they gather to build a strong case for compensation.
What Should You Do After a Wrongful Death in a Nursing Home?
Dealing with the death of a loved one is difficult. When you suspect abuse or neglect, though, there are a few steps that can be helpful to protect your legal rights. These steps are:
- Take photographs of any dangerous conditions that were present—for example, a dirty room or unchanged bedsheets.
- Keep any communication you received from nursing home staff.
- Call a nursing home abuse attorney.
- Keep bills and receipts related to end-of-life medical expenses and funeral costs.
- Contact your local long-term care ombudsman, as they serve as advocates for nursing home residents and their families.
- Remember to take care of yourself. For example, seek mental health counseling or therapy for your grief.
Contact a Nursing Home Wrongful Death Attorney in Hamilton Today
If you lost a loved one, please accept our condolences. Our legal team at Shore Law can help you evaluate your legal options when you suspect nursing home abuse or neglect contributed to your loved one’s death.
Reach out today to schedule a free consultation.
