Florida nursing homes for years have been tainted with allegations and charges of various forms of abuse inflicted on residents. In these cases, courts have found examples of physical abuse, sexual abuse, mental and psychological abuse, financial exploitation, and other forms of abuse meant to instill terror, fear, and control.
Some of these older residents who suffer from abuse are often suffering from cognitive impairments. This means they generally have Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or have suffered a stroke or brain injury. In other cases, residents may be physically frail, for example. This condition can make them more vulnerable to an attack.
Family members should keep an extra close watch on an elderly senior in a nursing home. If the elderly resident is medically or physically challenged and very dependent on nursing home attendants for basic needs, they may fear reporting abuse.
If you feel that your loved spouse or parent in a Sarasota nursing home may be under some form of abuse, get help immediately. Then, you can reach out to see how a Sarasota nursing home abuse lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC can handle your case. Take advantage of a no-fee consultation by dialing (800) 712-9119.
Nursing Homes in Florida
In these homes, a certain level of care is expected by residents and the family members who placed the seniors in the home. Generally, nursing homes are staffed with registered nurses, licensed practice nurses, and nursing assistants. There may also be assorted part-time caretakers who help out during the week and on weekends.
Here are the general tasks that nursing home nurses do for residents:
- Clean and bathe the residents at regular intervals
- Ensure the residents are in clean beds with washed sheets to lie in
- Receive their proper nutrition at regular meal times
- Provide medical tasks like checking vital signs, giving IV’s, administering medication, and drawing blood.
When visiting family members see that these tasks are routine and being handled well, they can feel better for the care of their elderly senior. But if these needs are not met and the staff looks disgruntled, then it may be worth checking on the past history of this nursing home to see if there are any prior charges of negligence and or elder abuse.
For a free legal consultation with a nursing home abuse lawyer serving Sarasota, call (800) 712-9119
Abuse in Nursing Homes
Unfortunately, most abuse goes unreported by residents. Some residents may just be too ashamed of physical or sexual abuse to speak up. This is common among older seniors. Other nursing home residents with mental conditions like dementia or Alzheimer’s may not even recognize different forms of abuse.
Consider working with a Sarasota nursing home abuse lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC if you have a spouse or parent in a Florida nursing home. Together, we can explore the facts to see if nursing home abuse is harming your family member. Call us at (800) 712-9119 for a free consultation.
Sarasota Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Near Me (800) 712-9119
Seeing Signs of Abuse
Understanding signs of abuse in its forms is an important consideration in putting together a strong case of abuse or negligence against a nursing home. Knowing these signs can alert you to either the nursing home’s management or to medical authorities.
Some signs of physical bruises may exist on your loved one’s body, according to the National Institute on Aging (NIA). If the staff mentions that the senior simply fell down and suffered a bruise, ask questions about the fall, how and when it happened. If a story does not hold up, then there is a chance you are not getting the full details.
Other forms of abuse may occur in negligence shown by the staff. If the nursing home is understaffed, your senior may not be getting meals delivered at the right times, or medicines given at the right time, or even dressing and undressing help at the right time. These forms of negligence, especially in the area of personal hygiene, can lead to bedsores and possible infections. If left untreated, the infections could spread and the elderly person may develop sepsis or other blood infections.
When this negligence occurs, it is a violation of the nursing home’s duty to care for the residents, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
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Work with a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
The last thing a family member wants for their elderly spouse or parent is to be physically or sexually traumatized in their later years. Your loved one deserved to live in a nursing home free from abuse and neglect. If they suffered injuries due to the abuse, you may qualify for compensation from a responsible party.
You do not have an unlimited amount of time to decide to take legal action. If negotiations with an insurance company fail to result in fair compensation for your losses, you have the option to file a personal injury lawsuit, but only within a certain amount of time. A lawyer can help you determine how much time you have to bring legal action against a negligent nursing home.
Do not hesitate to discuss your case in a free consultation. Let us explain how a Sarasota nursing home abuse lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC can help you with your case. We will work to help you seek damages for the abuse of your loved one.
Connect with us today at (800) 712-9119.
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