Florida has one of the nation’s oldest populations, with almost 20 percent of residents over the age of 65. In fact, four Florida counties—Sumter, Charlotte, Citrus, and Sarasota—are on the Pew Research Center’s Top 10 list of “grayest” counties in the United States.
With nearly 700 licensed nursing homes in the state, nursing home abuse is a problem facing many older adults in Florida, as well as across the nation. One study found that as many as 44 percent of nursing home residents report being abused, while 95 percent report being neglected or witnessing neglect.
If your parent, spouse, or loved one was abused in their nursing home, those whom you trusted with their care should be held accountable for any negligence or wrongdoing. A Lauderhill nursing home abuse lawyer may be able to help you seek awards for your loved one’s medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more.
To learn more about how a lawyer can help you seek justice, contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC today at 800-959-1444.
Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home residents are much more likely to suffer abuse than older adults who live at home. Often, residents are in a nursing home because they suffer from physical and mental health conditions that make them totally dependent on others for care. This also makes them especially vulnerable, and in some cases, unable to report abuse.
Always watch for the following warning signs, which may indicate a problem with your loved one’s nursing home care:
- Unexplained cuts, burns, scars, bruises, or other injuries
- Lack of mobility assistance
- Bedsores
- Excessive falls and accidents
- Malnourishment and 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 your loved one’s behavior can also indicate abuse. Be aware of any signs of depression, trauma, violent or aggressive behavior, or withdrawing from others and activities they once enjoyed.
You also should be alert for problems within the facility, such as:
- High staff turnover
- Unanswered phones and call bells
- Disorganized and frantic staff
- Lack of improvements in the facility
- Unanswered questions about your loved one’s care
For a free legal consultation with a nursing home abuse lawyer serving Lauderhill, call 800-712-9119
Common Types of Elder Abuse
There are five common types of elder abuse, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- Physical abuse. This includes any intentional physical harm, like kicking, hitting, pushing, or burning.
- Sexual abuse. This is forced or unwanted sexual action of any kind, including sexual harassment.
- Emotional or psychological abuse. This includes verbal and non-verbal threats, humiliation, disrespect, or any other language that causes fear or distress. This type of abuse can also include isolating or ignoring a resident.
- Financial abuse. This is the illegal or improper use of a resident’s money, belongings, property, benefits, or other assets.
- Neglect. This is the failure to meet a resident’s basic needs for food, shelter, clothing, hygiene, and medical care. Sometimes, unintentional neglect results from an overworked or undertrained staff.
Lauderhill Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Near Me 800-712-9119
How to Report Nursing Home Abuse
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 1-888-419-3456.
Be sure to file a detailed written report with the nursing home’s administration. You may also wish to contact adult protective services or an agency that advocates for the elderly. If you witness abuse as it occurs, call 911.
Abuse is not only morally wrong, but it also is illegal. You can file a report with local law enforcement, and you might also want to enlist the help of a Lauderhill nursing home abuse lawyer to seek justice for your loved one. To learn more, contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC today.
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How a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Can Help
A Lauderhill nursing home abuse lawyer can help you gather evidence to support your case, including medical records, eyewitness statements, and expert testimony. An attorney can also help you identify who is responsible for your loved one’s illness, injury, or death, and help you seek awards for:
- Medical expenses. You may be entitled to compensation for the costs of your loved one’s medical care, including hospital stays, medications, surgery, physical therapy, and more.
- Pain and suffering. This includes awards for mental anguish, stress, anxiety, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Personal property. You may be able to recover your loved one’s stolen or misused assets.
- Wrongful death. If your loved one died because of nursing home abuse, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
If you are considering legal action, be sure to speak with a Lauderhill 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. The clock on the statute of limitations begins at the time the abuse occurred. In cases where abuse was concealed, the statute allows two years from the time the abuse was discovered or should have been discovered. However, you may not take any action for more than four years from the time of the incident.
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Let Us Help You Fight for Your Loved One
Ben Crump Law, PLLC believes in fighting for justice for the most vulnerable members of our society. If a nursing home’s negligence and wrongful behavior caused harm to your loved one, the facility and staff should be held responsible.
A Lauderhill nursing home abuse lawyer can help you through every step of your case. Our team can help you shoulder the legal burden so that your loved one can heal, and you can focus on their care.
We have won millions of dollars in successful settlements for clients nationwide. We work on a contingency basis, which means you pay nothing out of pocket and we only collect a fee if we win your case. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC at 800-959-1444 today to schedule a risk-free consultation.
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