Nursing home residents have rights regarding the protection of their personal items and finances. If your loved one was robbed by those responsible for their care, a Boca Raton missing money or personal items lawyer may be able to pursue compensation on their behalf.
The elderly must downsize a lifetime of personal items to accommodate their new and limited space in a nursing home. Paying for room and board in a nursing home can be expensive. You may need to monitor any remaining money your loved one has as well as the staff who takes care of them.
Stealing from residents is a form of nursing home abuse. If your loved one was a victim of nursing home theft and lost special items or money, you may have legal options for a civil case. To learn more, contact the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine now for a free case evaluation.
Nursing Home Residents Are Entitled to Protection from Theft
The Nursing Home Reform Act protects a resident’s right to retain possession of personal belongings and experience a setting safe from theft. Theft may involve stealing a special memento from home to items your loved one relies on, such as hearing aids or eyeglasses. Regardless of what was stolen, your loved one is entitled to have their belongings be protected and in their possession.
According to The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, there are multiple ways financial theft may occur in a skilled nursing facility. While the theft of cash may immediately come to mind, other forms of financial theft include:
- Missing ATM or credit cards
- Cashing checks without authorization
- Forging checks
- Unpaid bills
Elderly people are vulnerable to having retirement, pension, and personal investment funds stolen from caretakers, which is unfair and should not be ignored. If this happened to your loved one, report the theft to the nursing home administration and local law enforcement. If you have access to their banking statements, you may want to make copies of unusual transfers or transactions to submit as evidence of theft.
If you have concerns about your loved one remaining in the nursing home facility, relocating them on short notice can result in a significant and unexpected expense. A Boca Raton missing money or personal items lawyer can identify liable parties and determine the best course of action for your case.
Seek justice for your loved one by reaching out to the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine for a free case evaluation today.
Tips for How You Can Help Your Loved One
While you cannot constantly monitor your loved one’s care, you can protect them from possible theft by implementing the following tips as they settle into a care facility:
- Take pictures of personal items
- Secure belongs or financial information in a locked drawer with only the administrator or a family member possessing the key
- If possible, keep receipts for valuables and personal belongings
- Carefully monitor your loved one’s finances
We advise that you immediately report any suspected theft, as one case of theft could signify that other forms of theft might be taking place in the nursing home. For the safety of your loved one and other residents, it is imperative that you alert the nursing home administration and law officials about any missing items or funds to prevent further financial exploitation from occurring.
Elderly residents who suffer from a cognitive disease may not realize something is missing. Serving as their advocate requires special attention to detail, like that of their belongings and financial records.
Time Is Limited for Pursuing Compensation for Your Loved One’s Losses
According to the Florida Statutes § 400.0236, those seeking compensation for their loved one’s damages generally have two years to pursue a civil lawsuit.
Two years can go fast when pursuing legal action. If your loved one was the victim of theft, take action—do not wait. A member of our team is ready to review your case now.
Elderly Personal Possessions: Special and Important
Realizing someone stole from your loved one can be upsetting and disturbing. If your loved one is able to understand what occurred, they may experience depression over their loss.
Anyone who steals from a nursing home resident may face criminal charges. These charges have no bearing on your right to pursue possible compensation in a civil case.
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Get Help from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine for Your Nursing Home Theft Case
If your loved one experienced theft in a nursing home setting, we can help you. A Boca Raton missing money or personal items lawyer from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can build a case on behalf of your loved one and represent their legal interests. We want to hold those responsible accountable for your loved one’s losses.
At the same time, your lawyer will treat you and your loved one with the utmost respect and care. Some items may have sentimental value and are, therefore, priceless to your loved one. While there is no guarantee on how your case will settle, pursuing civil action can serve as a form of justice for the wrongdoing your loved one experienced.
Nursing homes have responsibilities, and residents have rights. If your loved one suffered financial abuse or was robbed of personal belongings, let us help you.
At the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we only collect our attorney’s fee if we win your case. You have nothing to lose by contacting us now for a free consultation about your loved one’s missing item or money case. Call us today to get started.
