Akron Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer | Call (216) 931-7000

Frank E. Piscitelli, Jr. (founder of the Piscitelli Law Firm) has spent over three decades representing victims in personal injury and wrongful death cases, including those involving nursing home abuse and neglect.

With a proven track record of success in holding institutions accountable, Frank has fought for families whose loved ones suffered physical harm, emotional trauma, or loss of life due to negligent or abusive nursing care.

Raised in a working-class, first-generation Italian-American household, Frank learned early on the importance of hard work, compassion, and standing up for the vulnerable.

As a Cleveland native, he understands the unique concerns Ohio families face when trusting their loved ones to the care of nursing home staff members – and what it means when that trust is broken.

Frank’s experience includes representing victims of elder abuse in cases involving physical abuse, emotional abuse, financial exploitation, and systemic neglect in nursing home abuse cases across the state.

He intentionally limits the number of cases he accepts to provide each client with focused, personalized attention.

Every case is personally managed by Frank, who invests the time and resources necessary to build a strong claim – conducting thorough investigations, consulting expert witnesses, and documenting patterns of abuse or neglect within a nursing home facility.

Whether negotiating a fair settlement or preparing for trial, he fights to seek justice for victims and hold negligent facilities accountable.

If your loved one has suffered nursing home abuse or neglect, you can count on Frank Piscitelli to be the elder abuse lawyer who puts your family first and fights for meaningful results.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Nursing Home Attorney from Piscitelli Law Firm?

Similar to other elder abuse attorneys, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no upfront costs.

You will not owe any legal fees unless we successfully recover compensation through a settlement or verdict.

This allows families to pursue justice without worrying about financial barriers.

If there is no recovery, you owe us nothing.

Our goal is to make high-quality legal representation accessible to anyone harmed by nursing home abuse or neglect.

Recognizing the signs of nursing home abuse or neglect is often the first step toward protecting your loved one’s well-being.

Warning signs may include unexplained injuries, sudden changes in mood or behavior, or a noticeable fear of certain staff members – indicators that may point to intentional harm or mental abuse.

In many cases, signs are subtle, especially when residents are of advanced age or have cognitive impairments.

Families should be alert to poor hygiene, dehydration, bedsores, or signs of medication errors, all of which could indicate potential abuse or neglect.

Emotional withdrawal, lack of eye contact, or refusal to speak openly may be signs of mental abuse or intimidation.

If your loved one appears afraid, confused, or unable to explain their injuries, it’s essential to act quickly.

In cases of immediate danger, prompt action may prevent further harm and even save a life.

Regardless of the severity, any suspicion of abuse or neglect should be taken seriously and followed up with appropriate steps.

Here’s what to do if you suspect your loved one is being abused or neglected in a nursing home:

1. Remove the resident from immediate danger if necessary: If you believe your loved one is facing a serious or immediate threat, call 911 or seek emergency assistance.
2. Seek medical attention immediately: Ensure that injuries or health concerns are properly diagnosed, documented, and treated by a qualified healthcare provider.
3. Document the signs of abuse or neglect: Take photographs, write down observations, and save medical records or incident reports that may indicate potential abuse.
4. Speak with the facility’s management: Report your concerns to the administrator or director of nursing and request a formal investigation within the facility.
5. File a report with Adult Protective Services or the Ohio Department of Health: These agencies investigate complaints and can take regulatory action against facilities when abuse or neglect is confirmed.
6. Avoid direct confrontations with suspected abusers: Confronting a staff member may escalate the situation and place your loved one at greater risk.
7. Consult a nursing home abuse lawyer: An attorney can advise you on your legal rights, investigate the situation, and help you take action against the facility or its staff.
8. Monitor your loved one closely: Continue checking in on their condition and care, especially if the situation remains unresolved or if they remain in the facility.

Gathering Evidence for a Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit

Strong evidence is essential to proving that a nursing home facility provided abusive care or engaged in nursing home malpractice.

Without clear documentation, it can be difficult to hold the facility or its staff legally responsible for the harm caused.

Collecting and preserving the right evidence can make the difference between a dismissed claim and a successful lawsuit.

Evidence in a nursing home abuse case may include:

• Medical records showing injuries, medication errors, or lack of treatment
• Photographs of visible injuries, poor living conditions, or neglect
• Witness statements from other residents, family members, or staff
• Incident reports filed by the facility or state agencies
• Surveillance footage from common areas within the facility
• Expert opinions from medical professionals or elder care specialists
• Records of prior complaints or violations by the nursing home
• Documentation of behavioral changes or emotional distress in the resident

Damages in Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse Cases

In a civil lawsuit, damages refer to the financial compensation awarded to victims for the harm they’ve suffered due to another party’s wrongdoing.

In nursing home neglect and abuse cases, damages are meant to address both the tangible costs of medical care and the intangible impact of emotional distress, trauma, and diminished quality of life.

A skilled legal team can help evaluate your case and determine the full scope of losses for which compensation may be available.

Nursing home abuse attorneys often pursue the following types of damages on behalf of victims and their families:

• Medical expenses for treatment related to abuse or neglect
• Future medical care or long-term support services
• Pain and suffering resulting from physical harm
• Emotional distress, anxiety, or psychological trauma
• Loss of dignity and reduced enjoyment of life
• Costs related to relocating the resident to a safer facility
• Wrongful death damages, including funeral and burial costs
• Punitive damages in cases involving intentional or egregious misconduct

Elder abuse cases in Ohio fall under both personal injury laws and specific statutes designed to protect residents in long-term care facilities.

Victims and their families have the right to pursue legal action when a nursing home facility fails to provide proper medical care, protection, or supervision, resulting in harm.

Under Ohio Revised Code § 3721.17, nursing home residents are guaranteed specific rights, including the right to be free from physical abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

When these rights are violated, families may pursue compensation through a personal injury claim, as outlined in Ohio Revised Code § 2305.10, which provides a two-year statute of limitations for filing most injury-related lawsuits.

In addition to civil remedies, Ohio law requires that suspected abuse or neglect be reported to the authorities.

Ohio Revised Code § 5101.63 imposes a mandatory reporting obligation on certain individuals, including healthcare workers, who witness or suspect elder abuse.

Failure to report suspected abuse may result in criminal penalties and can be used to establish a pattern of negligence within the facility.

Families who believe a loved one has been harmed have several legal options, and understanding the legal process is the first step toward holding the responsible parties accountable.

Below is an overview of the legal process for pursuing a nursing home abuse case in Ohio:

1. Initial Consultation with an Elder Abuse Lawyer: A nursing home attorney will review the details of your case, assess potential liability, and discuss your legal options for pursuing compensation.
2. Investigation and Evidence Collection: The attorney gathers medical records, witness statements, photographs, facility inspection reports, and internal policies to determine how the facility failed to provide appropriate care.
3. Reporting to State Agencies (if not already done): In many cases, abuse must also be reported to the Ohio Department of Health or Adult Protective Services, especially if the facility failed to take corrective action.
4. Filing a Personal Injury or Wrongful Death Claim: If the evidence supports legal action, your attorney will file a claim against the facility, staff members, or affiliated entities responsible for the abuse or neglect.
5. Negotiation and Pre-Litigation Resolution: Your lawyer may attempt to resolve the case through negotiations, demanding a settlement that reflects the full extent of the harm caused.
6. Litigation and Discovery (if needed): If a settlement cannot be reached, the case proceeds to court. During discovery, both sides exchange evidence and take depositions to build the case.
7. Trial or Final Settlement: If the case goes to trial, a judge or jury will determine fault and award damages. In many cases, resolution is reached before trial through a negotiated settlement.
8. Disbursement of Compensation: Once the case is resolved, compensation is distributed to cover medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of life enjoyment, or wrongful death damages.

Each step is critical in building a strong case and holding the nursing home facility accountable for the harm it allowed or caused.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Nursing Home Abuse Case?

Liability in a nursing home abuse case may extend beyond the individual staff member responsible for the harm.

In many cases, the nursing home facility itself can be held accountable for negligent hiring practices, lack of staff training, inadequate supervision, or failure to maintain safe conditions.

Third-party contractors, such as medical providers or custodial services, may also be liable if their actions contributed to the abuse or neglect.

Families often assume only direct abusers are responsible, but under Ohio law, employers and facility operators can be legally responsible for the conduct of their employees.

A Akron nursing home abuse lawyer can identify all potentially liable parties and build a case that reflects the full scope of accountability.

Types of Nursing Home Abuse

According to the World Health Organization, millions of elderly individuals experience abuse each year, often in the very facilities meant to protect them.

In nursing homes, abuse can take many forms – some visible, others harder to detect.

Residents may suffer harm at the hands of staff, other residents, or through systemic neglect by the facility itself.

Abuse may involve force, coercion, or a failure to provide basic care and safety.

Recognizing the different types of abuse is essential to protecting vulnerable residents and pursuing legal accountability.

Common types of nursing home abuse include:

• Physical abuse, such as hitting, slapping, or using physical restraints improperly
• Sexual abuse, including any form of unwanted sexual contact
• Emotional abuse, involving threats, insults, humiliation, or isolation
• Neglect, including failure to provide food, water, hygiene, or medical care
• Financial abuse, such as stealing money, forging checks, or manipulating legal documents

When your loved one has suffered abuse or neglect in a nursing home, you need an advocate who understands the law, the urgency, and the emotional weight of what you’re facing.

At Piscitelli Law Firm, we are committed to holding negligent facilities and abusive staff accountable for the harm they cause to vulnerable residents.

With over 30 years of experience in personal injury and elder abuse cases, Frank Piscitelli provides strategic, compassionate, and results-driven representation to families across Ohio.

We take on a limited number of cases to deliver focused attention and build strong claims supported by evidence, expert insight, and a deep knowledge of nursing home regulations.

Whether your loved one has suffered from physical abuse, medical neglect, emotional harm, or wrongful death, we are prepared to fight for justice on your family’s behalf.

If you’re unsure about your legal options or believe a facility has failed in its duty of care, we’re here to help you take the next step.

Contact the Piscitelli Law Firm today for a free consultation.

Call (216) 931-7000 or use the chat feature on this page to speak with a Akron nursing home abuse lawyer and find out if you have a case.