You lift a 200-pound resident who can't support their own weight. Your back seizes, and pain shoots down your leg, but six more call lights are flashing, and no one else is on the floor. So you keep going—because that's what nursing home and assisted living staff do every single day. Columbus workers’ compensation attorney Jim Monast knows the toll this dedicated work takes on your body, and he and his team believe you deserve every benefit Ohio law provides when an injury happens on the job.
The people who care for our most vulnerable neighbors shouldn't have to fight alone for medical treatment and wage replacement after workplace injuries. If you've been hurt while working in a nursing home or assisted living facility, understanding your rights under Ohio workers' compensation can make all the difference. Here’s how Monast Law Office can help.
Key Takeaways:
- Workplace injuries in nursing homes often involve lifting strains, falls, or assaults that can cause lasting pain and limit your ability to work.
- Prompt reporting and thorough documentation matter because delays can lead to questions, disputes, or denied workers’ compensation claims.
- Monast Law Office helps caregivers navigate the system by handling paperwork, appeals, and employer pushback so you can focus on healing.
Why Is Working in a Health Care Environment So Physically Demanding?
Nursing homes and assisted living facilities present unique hazards. Staff members handle unpredictable situations while providing hands-on care to residents with complex medical and behavioral needs.
Lifting and Transfer Injuries
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, patient handling causes more workplace injuries in health care than any other single factor, noting that “over 50 percent of injuries and illnesses reported among nursing assistants were musculoskeletal disorders.” Even with mechanical lifts available, staff often transfer residents manually due to time constraints, equipment failures, or resident resistance. Repeated lifting strains backs, shoulders, knees, and necks—sometimes causing injuries that develop gradually over months.
Slip, Trip, and Fall Hazards
Staff rushing between rooms or responding to emergencies may not see hazards until it's too late. Wet floors from incontinence, spilled food, cleaning solutions, and cluttered hallways create constant fall risks. Our friend and client, Bev, a nurse at Villa Springfield, suffered neck, shoulder, back, and hip injuries after catching her foot on a mat. Slips, trips, and falls can also result in broken bones, head injuries, or soft-tissue damage.
Assaults and Violent Incidents
Residents with dementia, psychiatric conditions, or cognitive impairment lash out physically. Employees at nursing homes and assisted living facilities often sustain scratches, bites, punches, and kicks, incidents that happen more frequently than many realize. These incidents can cause immediate injuries and lasting psychological trauma.
How Will Our Columbus Workers' Compensation Attorney Help Protect You After a Nursing Home Injury?
The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) provides medical coverage and wage replacement. Filing a claim typically starts when you report your injury to your employer, who then submits paperwork to the BWC. You'll receive medical treatment from BWC-approved providers and may qualify for temporary total disability benefits if you're unable to work during recovery.
Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for professionals with nursing home injuries or assisted living injuries to face obstacles that cause the BWC to delay or even deny legitimate workers’ comp claims. Jim Monast has more than four decades of experience helping people just like you streamline the claims process. Here’s what he often recommends to avoid common mistakes that hurt your case:
- Consequences of delayed reporting. When you finish your shift despite pain because residents need care, waiting to document your medical issues might raise questions about whether they happened at work. In this video, Jim explains the importance of reporting your injury right away.
- Gradual injury disputes. Conditions such as herniated discs or rotator cuff tears that develop over time may be harder to connect to specific workplace incidents. Detailed medical records linking your duties to the injury become essential.
- Employer pushback. Some facilities discourage filing claims or suggest that injuries weren't work-related. You have legal rights that don't depend on your employer's approval—the BWC makes the final determination.
When you need someone to advocate for you, Monast Law Office can help you focus on healing rather than paperwork battles. We represent nursing home workers throughout Ohio, guide them through the workers’ compensation system, appeal decisions, and fight for the benefits they’ve rightfully earned. We believe your dedication to caring for others deserves the same level of commitment when you're the one who needs help.
