How Long Do You Have to Report Abuse in a Nursing Home?

As parents, the first time you put your child in the care of someone else is when you hire a babysitter. When the child grows up, you take them to school during the day, where teachers watch over them.

That makes the concept of trusting a caregiver nothing new.

That’s important to remember when it is time to transition an elderly loved one into a nursing home. You have to embrace the idea that you won’t always be able to provide around-the-clock care.

Most nursing home residents benefit from a standard of care that allows them to maintain their quality of life. Unfortunately, there are a few incidents where abuse occurs.

Although the number of abuse incidents is relatively small compared to the total resident population, each incident can put a resident’s health at risk and cause genuine turmoil for the family. If you have a concern, how long do you have to report abuse in a nursing home? The answer depends on the severity of the incident.

One thing’s for certain: if your loved one is the victim of nursing home abuse, you’ll want to speak with an attorney to understand all your options for seeking a remedy to the abuse and to hold those who committed the acts accountable.

Reporting Abuse

Nursing home abuse that results in bodily harm should be reported within 2 hours of the incident. If you’re not sure when the incident occurred, you should report it within 24 hours of witnessing it.

When an incident of abuse results in physical harm, it is considered a crime. That means it should be reported to the police by calling 9-1-1. This will create an official report, which can be crucial evidence in any subsequent civil complaint.

After you’ve reported the incident to the police, you’ll also want to make a report to the relevant state agencies. Here are some state website portals:

Illinois

The Illinois Department of Aging has resources for reporting abuse in long-term care facilities, including links to the regional Ombudsman and Senior Helpline.

Missouri

The Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services has phone numbers to report adult abuse and neglect.

Ohio

Disability Rights Ohio has links and numbers to report nursing home abuse.

When reporting abuse, you need to provide as much relevant information as possible, including the following details:

• Name, address, and approximate age of the nursing home resident
• Name and address of the nursing home facility
• The name and address of the alleged staff member
• The reason you suspect abuse or neglect
• The specific injuries related to the abuse
• Any other known information

How an Attorney Can Help

After making an official report, you should reach out to an experienced attorney to discuss all your options. First, your attorney can act as your advocate with the nursing home facility.

They can get direct responses on how the situation will be rectified.

If you and your attorney agree that the best remedy is to file a civil complaint, further investigation will be needed. A skilled nursing home abuse lawyer can dig into the past of the nursing home and determine if there is a pattern of neglect. That will bolster your complaint.

The care of your loved one will be a primary concern. That is why you need to immediately report any abuse and get the support you need to find a remedy.