Many families depend on the care and comfort of an elderly loved one from a nursing home. We expect that our senior family members and friends will be in a safe, clean, and supportive environment.
Sadly, this is not often the case. As nursing home abuse lawyers in Coral Gables, FL, we have seen the heartbreak of abuse and neglect on helpless seniors. If you suspect that a loved one is being abused or neglected, act quickly. Once your loved one is safe, please call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine. There is no excuse for a nursing home that allows its residents to be mistreated. Please call our Coral Gables personal injury lawyers to request a free consultation.
Rampant Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Across the Country
Nursing home abuse is not often reported by its victims. Elderly and often frail, nursing home abuse victims may fear retaliation by their abusive caregivers. Depending on their physical and cognitive health, they may be unable to call out an abuser. It is up to caring family members and friends to make sure that their loved ones are safe.
Nursing homes and Assisted Living Facilities (ALF) must follow state and federal guidelines. However, this is no guarantee that your loved one is being cared for and free from physical, emotional, sexual, or financial abuse. A study conducted by the U.S. General Accountability Office showed that 70 percent of states overlooked at least one substandard issue. Fifteen percent of state surveys missed reporting actual harm or jeopardy of residents.
Some Seniors Are More at Risk for Abuse
Perpetrators of elder abuse do not want to get caught so they look for the most vulnerable victims. Nursing home residents who are more at risk for abuse and neglect include:
- Seniors with disabilities.
- Dementia patients.
- Residents with little family or social support.
- African-Americans.
- Patients with limited income or resources.
- Seniors who need help with Activities of Daily Living (ADL).
Although these residents are considered more vulnerable than most, nursing home abuse can happen anywhere to anyone. Nursing home abuse and neglect cases are reported in government and private facilities. Contact a nursing home abuse lawyer in Coral Gables, FL for more information. To request a free consultation, call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine.
Listen to Your Loved One and Trust Your Instinct
Some nursing home residents try to tell their relatives about abuse, but their family members may think that they are simply unhappy. Perhaps you suspect that something is wrong, but you are not certain. Do not take chances with your loved one’s well-being. It is important that you know the signs of nursing home abuse and neglect so you can act. A nursing home abuse attorney in Coral Gables, FL, will help you through this process.
How You Can Identify Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
According to the National Council on Aging (NCA), nursing home abuse includes physical, emotional, and sexual abuse; financial exploitation; neglect, and abandonment.
There are many signs of abuse and neglect, including:
- Bruises, pressure marks, scratches, abrasions, and burns.
- Unexplained falls or broken bones.
- Bedsores.
- Inexplicable weight loss.
- Unkempt or dirty clothing and bedclothes.
- Sudden withdrawal from daily activities.
- Fear or subservient behavior toward abuser.
- Financial losses.
Florida has a statute of limitations of two years to file a nursing home abuse lawsuit. Please call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine to request a free consultation.
A Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer in Coral Gables Will Protect Your Loved One’s Rights
Nursing homes have a legal obligation to care for their residents. Yet it seems as though perpetrators are not being held accountable for their actions. The Naples Daily News reported that out of the 54 reported deaths from nursing home abuse and neglect in 2018, no one had been charged with a crime.
You have the legal right to hold abusive caregivers and negligent facility owners responsible. A nursing home abuse lawyer in Coral Gables, FL will protect your loved one’s rights and seek compensation for injuries and damages.
You and Your Loved One Could Be Entitled to Compensation
Nursing home abuse and neglect inflicts physical and emotional abuse on its victims. Often these injuries result in financial damages, too. Our legal team will pursue compensation if you qualify for such damages as:
- Medical bills because of abuse, injury, or neglect.
- Losses related to moving the victim to another facility.
- Pain and suffering.
- Domestic services such as caregivers or specialists.
- Loss of companionship.
If a loved one passed away because of nursing home abuse or neglect, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim or lawsuit. The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine limits its practice to help injured and disabled clients who have been harmed by another’s negligence. Our personal injury firm looks forward to helping you and your loved one. To request a free consultation, please call 1-800-747-3733.
How a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Seeks Potential Compensation
To pursue potential compensation for medical bills and other expenses, a nursing home abuse lawyer in Coral Gables will determine liability.
There are a few factors in this process, including:
- Establish a duty of care that the nursing home must provide a safe, clean environment that is free from abuse and neglect.
- Show a breach of duty because the nursing home or its staff did not provide a safe environment.
- Show causation that this breach of duty caused your loved one bodily injury and damages.
Any nursing home that allows or is ignorant of abuse and neglect to its patients should be held accountable. A nursing home abuse lawyer in Coral Gables, FL can pursue compensation from those responsible. The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine work on a contingency basis: no recovery, no fee.
To request a free, no-obligation consultation, please call us.
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