When you put your parent, spouse, or loved one into a nursing home facility, you are entrusting the staff with their health and happiness. Finding out that trust was violated and your loved one suffered while in the care of a nursing home is often a devastating experience.
There are nearly 700 nursing homes in Florida, which has the oldest population in the country. Over 19 percent of Florida residents are aged 65 or older, more than any other state.
Sadly, nursing home abuse is a very real problem for many of our nation’s seniors—and one that will likely worsen as America’s population rapidly ages. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, the number of people aged 65 and older in the United States is expected to double by the year 2050. During this same time, the population of adults aged 85 and older will more than triple.
Nursing home abuse should never be tolerated, and those who prey on the weakest members of our society should be punished. If your loved one was hurt because of a nursing home facility’s negligence or wrongdoing, a Delray Beach nursing home abuse lawyer may be able to help you seek justice. For more information about how an attorney can fight for your loved one and help you seek compensation, contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC today at 800-959-1444.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse
Research has shown that older adults living in nursing homes are at a much higher risk of abuse and neglect than those who live at home. One study of nursing home residents found that 44 percent said they had been abused, and 95 percent said they had been neglected or witnessed neglect.
Nursing home abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual, or financial. Neglect also is a form of abuse.
Physical Abuse
This is the intentional use of physical force against a resident, including hitting, kicking, shoving, or rough handling. Physical abuse can result in illness, injury, functional impairment, or death.
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse is also referred to as mental or psychological abuse. Examples of emotional abuse include verbal attacks, such as yelling, threatening, belittling, or humiliating a resident. It also can include non-verbal behaviors, such as ignoring or isolating a resident.
Sexual Abuse
This includes any type of unwanted touching or sexual contact, as well as sexual harassment or coercion.
Financial Abuse
Financial abuse is the illegal use or theft of a resident’s assets, including money, property, belongings, or retirement benefits.
Neglect
Neglect is the failure to care for a resident. A resident’s basic needs for food, shelter, and healthcare should be met in a way that avoids harm or pain. Neglect can be intentional, or neglect can occur when nursing home staff is overworked or poorly trained.
For a free legal consultation with a beach nursing home abuse lawyer serving Delray Beach, call 800-959-1444
Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home residents often suffer from chronic illnesses and cognitive deficiencies that make them totally dependent upon their caretakers. They may be unable to report abuse, or afraid that telling someone will lead to retaliation. It is important for a resident’s loved ones to recognize these warning signs:
- Unexplained cuts, burns, scars, bruises, or other injuries
- Lack of mobility assistance
- Bedsores
- Excessive falls and accidents
- Malnourishment and/or dehydration
- Poor hygiene, like lack of bathing and dental care, or dirty hair and clothing
- Weight loss
- Lack of assistance with toileting, or failure to change soiled diapers
- Changes in behavior, including depression, acting violent or aggressive, or becoming withdrawn.
A resident’s family should also be alert for problems within the nursing home itself, such as:
- High staff turnover
- Unanswered phones and call bells
- Disorganized and frantic staff
- Lack of improvements in the facility
Delray Beach Beach Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Near Me 800-959-1444
What to Do if You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse
If you suspect that your loved one is being abused in their nursing home, you should report it immediately. Florida nursing home residents are protected by a special Resident Bill of Rights. If you believe your loved one’s rights have been violated or they have been harmed, you can report it online to the Agency for Health Care Administration or call (888) 419-3456.
You should also file a detailed written report with the nursing home administration. Additionally, you can report abuse to local law enforcement, adult protective services, or an agency that advocates against elder abuse. If the situation is an emergency, call 911 immediately.
A Delray Beach nursing home abuse lawyer can help you investigate who is responsible for your loved one’s illness, injury, or death. An attorney can also help prove the abuse occurred and help you seek awards to compensate your loved one.
If you believe you want to take legal action, be sure to speak with a Delray Beach nursing home abuse lawyer before the statute of limitations expires. Florida Statute § 400.0236 allows only two years to take legal action for nursing home abuse. For more information, contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC today.
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Seek Justice for Your Loved One
If your loved one was the victim of nursing home abuse, it is not your fault—the blame lies with the facility you entrusted with their care. Elder abuse is legally and morally wrong, and those who take advantage of the most vulnerable members of our society should be held accountable.
If your loved one suffered an illness, injury, or death because of nursing home abuse and neglect, Ben Crump Law, PLLC is here to help you seek justice. A Delray Beach nursing home abuse lawyer can help you seek compensation for your loved one’s medical bills, pain and suffering, and more. If your loved one died because of the abuse, an attorney may also be able to help you file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Our legal team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC has helped thousands of clients across the country win millions in successful settlements, and we may be able to help you, too. Call us today at 800-959-1444 for a risk-free consultation. Our goal is to achieve the best possible outcome for your case, and we never take a fee unless we win a settlement for you.
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