DRO joins national advocacy organizations in support of employees who report patient abuse
July 2, 2014 / abuse
Disability Rights Ohio, AARP, National Disability Rights Network, National Senior Citizens Law Center, and National Health Law Program filed a friend of the court brief with the Supreme Court of Ohio in support of Patricia Hulsmeyer, whose wrongful termination lawsuit alleges that she was fired in retaliation for reporting patient abuse to her employer. Disability Rights Ohio and AARP previously filed a brief at the state appellate court, which ruled in Ms. Hulsmeyer’s favor, finding that state law prohibits retaliation against employees who report patient abuse. The employers appealed, arguing that the state law only protects employees who make their reports to the Ohio Department of Health.
In this appeal, Disability Rights Ohio joined with other national advocates for elders and individuals with disabilities to inform the court about the widespread problem of abuse of elders and individuals with disabilities, and the need for protection for employees who report abuse that they witness. The brief argues that the court should hold that both Ohio’s laws and public policy protect those who report abuse.