Personal Injury Lawyer

An ombudsman is a part of the ombudsman program. This is a person who advocates for seniors’ rights in nursing homes, because seniors are considered a vulnerable part of the population. If you suspect nursing home abuse, when should you contact the ombudsman?

You Complained to the Management of the Facility

You discovered that your loved one has suffered abuse and neglect, so your next step is to talk to the management of the facility. You filed complaints with the administration, but they didn’t take you seriously. Some family members of residents may have a meeting with the management, and they may discuss a plan to ensure that the incident never happens again. Then, they find out later that the management did not enact any new policies and that their loved one is still at risk in the home. In a worst-case-scenario, they discover it once the neglect or abuse becomes more of a health risk to their loved one.

If you filed a complaint and the facility did not take any action, it’s your turn to take things to a higher level. This is when you would approach the ombudsman.

Your Loved One Suffered Serious Injuries or Neglect

In some cases, you may need to take your loved one out of the home. If he or she is suffering extensive abuse or neglect, you need to ensure that the patient receives medical care as soon as possible. If the conditions in the nursing facility are poor enough, you may want to contact the ombudsman as soon as possible. The ombudsman will have to investigate the facility and will look at the facts to determine if there is neglect or abuse taking place. The ombudsman is aware of all of the different regulations that the facilities have to follow. He or she can become your loved one’s advocate.

While the ombudsman cannot force the home to act, he or she can make a report and point out the conditions of the facility. The ombudsman can still prove that there are legal violations occurring.

When it comes to your loved one, he or she deserves to be cared for. When a patient enters a facility, it can be nerve racking.  The hope is that the facility will care for its patients and that the resident will eventually feel at home. If your loved one was abused or neglected at the hands of a nursing home facility, set up a consultation with a lawyer, like a nursing home lawyer from Brown Kiely LLP, as soon as possible.

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