Helping People Stand Up Against Abusers
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 19% of Florida’s population is over the age of 65. Many of these residents live in a nursing home or assisted living facility. Residents of a nursing home or assisted living facility depend on their caregivers for many of their most basic needs. Often, residents that are abused by their caregivers are afraid to come forward for fear that they may be further mistreated. In fact, the majority of abuse is never reported because the warning signs are often overlooked or misinterpreted. Therefore, it is important to recognize the signs of abuse which can include physical abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse, and emotional abuse.
A skilled nursing home abuse attorney understands the unique positions of those under a nursing home’s care, as well as the laws and regulations nursing homes must abide by. At Burnett Law, P.A., we can help. When a nursing home is at fault for the neglect or abuse or your loved one, consulting with a negligent nursing home attorney can help provide you with a way forward so you can focus on helping your loved one recover.
Understanding Signs Of Neglect and Abuse
Because of staffing difficulties, some nursing homes may neglect the needs of their residents. Because they are often tasked with personal care such as bathing and feeding residents, this can be especially dangerous. Signs of nursing home neglect include:
- Worsening health despite care
- Soiled clothes or bedclothes
- Poor oral hygiene
- Unbrushed hair and untrimmed nails
When you’ve entrusted a nursing home with the care of your loved one, there is no excuse for neglect. Unfortunately, physical neglect is the most common type of elder abuse. Communicating with caregivers and visiting often can help ensure your loved one receives the care they deserve.
Abuse can take many forms, including physical abuse, financial abuse and emotional abuse. A few of the signs your loved one may be experiencing a form of abuse include:
- Malnutrition
- Paleness or sunken eyes
- Poor hygiene
- New fears and anxieties
- A tendency to be withdrawn or isolated
- Inappropriate agitation or anger
- More confusion or disorientation
When faced with these signs, it’s important to seek more information and assistance from a nursing home abuse attorney. Many times, victims of abuse feel ashamed, even though the abuse is not their fault. This can make it more difficult to discover abuse
We Can Help Protect Your Loved Ones
If you suspect your loved one is being abused, not only is it imperative to remove your loved one from a negligent nursing home, but it is also very important to report elder abuse in Florida so any guilty parties can be brought to justice. A negligent nursing home attorney can help you deal with the arbitration clauses many nursing homes utilize or help you seek compensation for your loved one’s pain and suffering.
If you suspect that a family member may have suffered abuse while a resident at a nursing home, reach us online or give us a call at 813-221-5000 and one of our experienced trial attorneys will discuss your situation. There is no cost to you whatsoever for this free evaluation.