Nursing home abuse is one of the most egregious crimes against our senior citizens, and unfortunately far from rare. According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), an estimated 5 million elderly Americans are abused every year, with only one in 14 cases reported.
A nursing home is by law mandated to keep your loved one not only safe from harm, but also care for their mental and physical well-being around the clock. Unfortunately, nursing homes can be more focused on profits than on the health of their residents. However, you do not have to accept any mistreatment of your loved one.
If you discover that your loved one suffered injuries from abuse, or you suspect that your loved one is abused in the nursing home, connect with a Pembroke Pines nursing home abuse lawyer as soon as possible. You may be able to hold the nursing home to account. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC today for your free case evaluation: 800-959-1444.
Nursing Home Abuse Injuries
Not all injuries are due to neglect or abuse. Medications, for example, can occasionally cause bruising in the elderly. However, some injuries that can point to nursing home neglect can be:
- Head and brain injuries
- Recurring and preventable infections
- Bedsores
- Malnutrition or dehydration
- Fractures
- Bruises
- Dislocations
Some injuries and conditions point to neglect, such as failing to prevent falls and failure to prevent infections. However, some injuries can be evidence for actual physical abuse such as rough handling, shoving, pushing, or kicking a senior.
Physical abuse can leave a certain type of injury. According to the Journal of Emergency Medicine, upper extremity, neck, and head injuries are typical for nursing home abuse, as are large bruises in the same body regions.
If you see any of the signs of abuse on your elderly loved one, call for help and a medical evaluation immediately. Once your relative is safe, consult with a Pembroke Pines nursing home lawyer for advice, as you may have legal recourse and could receive compensation for your loved one’s suffering and medical bills.
For a free legal consultation with a nursing home abuse lawyer serving Pembroke Pines, call 800-712-9119
Falls in Nursing Homes
Falls are one of the most common types of accidents in the nursing home. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as many as 1,800 nursing home residents in the U.S. die of complications and injuries connected to a fall every year. Falls can result in catastrophic injuries such as pelvic fractures and head injuries. Some elderly nursing home residents will never fully recover from these injuries.
Falls can be the result of rough-handling a resident. They can also be a sign that the nursing home is neglecting residents. Nursing home staff should take every possible step to ensure risks for falls are minimized. Staff has to identify residents at risk from falling and should not only monitor them, but also assist them in moving about the facility.
Falls can also be a premises liability issue for the nursing home when they occur due to uneven carpeting or missing handrails, for example. The nursing home has to keep the premises free of tripping hazards and any other dangerous conditions, and may be responsible for an injured resident’s damages if they fail to do so.
Pembroke Pines Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Near Me 800-712-9119
The Nursing Home Can Be Liable
The nursing home may be liable for the injuries of your loved one, whether they suffered injuries through a fall or from physical abuse or neglect.
Many injuries and conditions are preventable with adequate care, including malnutrition, dehydration, bedsores, and infections. However, nursing homes often fail in their responsibilities to keep residents safe.
Holding a Nursing Home Responsible for Neglect
A nursing home can be responsible if:
- They hired staff negligently.
- They failed to train staff adequately.
- They failed to protect residents from any dangerous conditions on the property.
- They failed to stop residents from wandering off property.
- Staff made medication or medical errors.
- Staff physically or emotionally abused residents.
- Staff failed to assist residents with daily needs (hygiene, food, drink).
There can be additional ways in which a nursing home could potentially be liable for any injuries your loved one suffered while in care.
In some cases, the nursing home may even be responsible if a resident suffered injuries from a third party, for example, if a guest or another resident perpetrated the abuse. As a general rule, the nursing home has responsibility over the entire property and this can include visitors and any third-party contractors.
Nursing home abuse cases can be complicated. Consulting with a Pembroke Pines nursing home abuse lawyer can help you get clear on your legal options. Call today for a free case evaluation.
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Contact Us for Legal Help
If your loved one suffered any injuries due to nursing home abuse, you could potentially receive compensation for their medical bills and any hospitalization costs. You may also receive awards for their pain and suffering as well as other compensation. If they passed away as a result of the abuse, you could potentially file a wrongful death lawsuit and could also receive compensation, including funeral expenses and other awards.
However, you should contact us as soon as possible. Although there can be exceptions, the Florida statute of limitations for personal injury will generally prohibit you from filing a lawsuit after four years from the date on which the injury occurred. For a wrongful death, you generally have two years after the day of death to file a lawsuit.
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A Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Is On Your Family’s Side
Your quick action can not only help your lawyer collect evidence and build a case while the incident is still fresh in witnesses’ minds, it can also help other nursing home residents who may be subjected to abuse. Also consider that the sooner you act, the sooner you could potentially receive compensation which can help you and your loved one move on from an upsetting and painful incident.
You do not have to try and stand up to a nursing home on your own. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC today and speak to a member of our team about how we could fight for your loved one’s rights: 800-959-1444.
Call or text 800-712-9119 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form