Helping Families After Nursing Home Neglect in Florida
Every year, countless families across the country visit nursing homes in the hopes that they find the right place they can trust to care for their loved ones. We naturally expect nursing homes to put our family members’ best interests first and do everything in their power to provide them with the care and respect they serve in their later years. Unfortunately, millions of seniors in the world are abused every year, and a national survey showed that 36% of nursing home residents witnessed at least one instance of physical abuse of a patient in the previous year.
Ginnis, Krathen, & Zelnick, P.A.’s compassionate and dedicated nursing home abuse lawyers in Fort Lauderdale are available to help your family if you suspect your loved one has been abused while in their nursing home. We’ve recovered millions of dollars in damages for families such as medical bills and pain and suffering, and we’re not afraid to hold large facilities and entities responsible when their negligence causes harm to others.
Contact our team online or by phone at (954) 905-4600 to get started on your case with a free, one-on-one consultation with one of our attorneys. We pride ourselves on our ability to provide honesty and accessibility.
What is Nursing Home Abuse & How Common is It?
According to various surveys and reports, nursing home abuse is all too common, and in general, the rates of elder abuse are higher for older adults living in nursing homes or other facilities. Nursing home abuse consists of any harm or injury that comes to residents, including physical or psychological/emotional injuries, sexual assault, and more.
The most common types of nursing home abuse include:
- Staff members physically abusing residents, including slapping, kicking, shaking, or restraining a resident against their will or for a non-medical reason
- Bullying, humiliating, or yelling at residents
- Sexual abuse, which can include penetration or sexual contact, sexual harassment, or the abuser exposing themselves to the victim
- Financial exploitation, which can involve stealing from the resident, making withdrawals from their bank accounts, and forging checks
While people associate nursing home abuse with physical abuse and injury, general neglect is considered abuse, too. Neglect occurs when nursing homes fail to provide residents with the care, attention, and basic needs they deserve. Nursing homes are notoriously understaffed and are known for high turnover, and as a result, they may not train their staff members properly or prioritize their residents’ care as well as they should.
Neglect can look like the following:
- Dehydration
- Poor hygiene
- Dirty clothing or bedding
- Medication errors
- Undiagnosed or untreated illness
- Secondary infections
- Injuries from failing to secure residents in wheelchairs or with walkers
- Bedsores that develop from failing to turn or help the resident move
What Does Nursing Home Abuse Look Like?
One of the most difficult aspects of nursing home abuse is that many families are unable to know whether their loved one is being abused. Often the abuse will occur when the family isn’t visiting and no one else is around to witness it. It’s crucial that concerned family members understand the warning signs of nursing home abuse so they can seek treatment for their family members and hire an attorney to help them file a personal injury claim.
Warning signs of nursing home abuse can include:
- Unexplained injuries like bruises, cuts, and broken bones
- Being scared of other residents or staff members
- Increased signs of depression, anxiety, or other emotional difficulties
- Poor hygiene
- Loss of finances
- Aggression or social withdrawal
Why You Need a Fort Lauderdale Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
If you believe your family member is being abused, you may not think you need a lawyer to settle your case and receive compensation. You may think calling the authorities is enough to get the justice your loved one deserves. However, your medical bills may be high if your loved one has been injured and if they’ve been exploited, your loved one may have no money to pay for their needs. A team of experienced personal injury attorneys can help you gather evidence of abuse and protect you from nursing home facilities and their lawyers. Our team is prepared to help you determine which steps you need to take in order to get results and reclaim your loved one’s life.
