How to Take Action with Nursing Home Abuse
When parents or loved ones need round-the-clock care, leaving them in the hands of others can be an incredibly difficult decision. You want the best for them, and a big part of that is making sure they don’t become a victim of nursing home negligence. Thankfully, there are many elder abuse laws, both within Florida and at the national level, that protects seniors from abuse within nursing homes and long-term care facilities. If you suspect your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse in Gainesville, Florida, or if you suspect they’re a victim of any elder abuse, our experts can help. Whether it’s discussing the situation to determine if you have a case or serving as your dedicated lawyer through the legal process, we urge you to contact us today.
Let’s take a look at what nursing home negligence is and what to look for. We’ll also give you some helpful advice including what to expect if you’d like to move forward legally.
What is Nursing Home Abuse?
Nursing home abuse is any type of harm that affects seniors or elderly residents who are under the care or responsibility of long-term care facilities or nursing homes. This could be physical or emotional injuries, sexual assault, or financial exploitation.
Nursing home abuse can stem from several places. Nursing home staff who are burnt out or greedy, who lack supervision, or who provide poor quality of care could be to blame. Nursing home abuse could also come from other residents within the long-term care facility. Finally, senior care companies could also be at fault. This could originate from improper or insufficient staff training, understaffing, or poor decision-making.
What to Look For
There are several common factors that could point to nursing home negligence, including physical, emotional, and financial signs.
Physical Signs
- Unexplained cuts, bruises, or broken bones.
- Frequent illnesses.
- Frequent falls.
- Malnourishment or dehydration.
- Poor hygiene.
- Untreated bedsores.
Emotional Signs
- Scared or fearful around staff members or other residents.
- Increased signs of anxiety or depression.
Financial Signs
- Loss of finances or depleted funds.
Unfortunately, nursing home abuse is all too common, it’s seen more frequently in patients with dementia and also among females. If you have a loved one under the care of a nursing home, we recommend checking in on them often. Not only will this help to spot signs of abuse early, but residents who do not have frequent visitors tend to have higher rates of abuse.
Moving Forward with Legal Action
If nursing home abuse is present, report it right away. Call the police or contact the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (ACHA). Consider removing your loved one from the situation, whether by moving them to another care facility or temporarily caring for them at home, if possible.
Next, seek the help of an attorney well-versed in nursing home negligence, such as our team at Avera & Smith in Gainesville. First, we’ll investigate your case and determine the next steps, including gathering evidence and filing a lawsuit. We can also help victims receive financial compensation or recover stolen or mishandled assets. Our local firm has personal injury lawyers experienced in handling and winning cases like yours. Contact us today for a free consultation.