You find yourself unable to meet the needs of your spouse or parent. You place your loved one in a nursing home so he or she could get the care and attention he or she needs. You visit your loved one and suspect he or she may be a victim of nursing home abuse. You can take steps to protect and get compensation for your loved one.
Do you suspect your parent or spouse is the victim of nursing home abuse? Call a nursing home abuse lawyer in Margate, FL, at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine at 1-800-747-3733 for a free consultation.
Rights of Residents in a Nursing Home
When your spouse or parent becomes a resident in a nursing home, Florida law gives him or her certain rights. Rights of nursing home residents include the following:
- Adequate and proper health care and protective and support services
- Courteous treatment and treatment with dignity
- Freedom from mental and physical abuse or physical and chemical restraints
- Refusal of medication or treatment
- Receipt of information about his or her medical treatment and proposed treatment
- Management of his or her financial affairs
If you suspect your spouse or parent is not receiving proper care or is not being treated with dignity and respect at a nursing home, contact a nursing home abuse lawyer at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine for help.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse differs from nursing home neglect in that nursing home abuse is intentional. Nursing home abuse can take several forms:
- Physical abuse: An employee of the nursing home may hit, pinch, or burn your loved one.
- Sexual abuse: Your loved one may be sexually assaulted or touched inappropriately by an employee or a stranger who enters the nursing home.
- Emotional abuse: A nursing home employee may harass, yell at, humiliate, or ignore your loved one.
- Financial abuse: A nursing home employee may steal your loved one’s money or possessions. A caregiver may trick your loved one into giving them money, or someone may get your loved one’s financial information and make unauthorized withdrawals or purchases.
OUR CONSULTATIONSARE FREE
START YOUR FREE CASE REVIEW
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
Your spouse or parent may not report nursing home abuse. Your loved one may be too embarrassed to speak up, may not know of the abuse, or may be afraid to report the abuse. When you visit your loved one, look for signs of abuse so that you can protect your loved one.
Physical Abuse
What are some signs that your loved one is the victim of physical abuse?
- Bedsores: Bedsores, or pressure ulcers, occur when a patient sits or lies in one position too long. They form on places like the elbows, heels, or the tailbone. If left untreated, bedsores can cause an inflection of joints and bones.
- Bruises: Older persons bruise more easily than younger individuals, but if you notice a bruise on your loved one, ask what happened. Severe bruising should sound an alarm.
- Cuts and lacerations: A cut on your loved one can be the result of a scratch or rough handling by a nursing home employee.
- Burns: If you see a burn on your loved one, ask someone in charge for an explanation.
- Broken bones: If your loved one receives a broken arm or leg, investigate the cause. The broken bone can be from a push or a fall.
Sexual Abuse
If your loved one complains about taking baths or getting dressed, has bruising, experiences vaginal bleeding and/or experiences mood swings while becoming withdrawn, these may indicate sexual abuse.
Emotional Abuse
Your spouse or parent may show signs of depression. He or she may exhibit mood swings. He or she may act strangely or aggressively around a staff member. You may observe no signs of physical or sexual abuse. The problem could be mental harassment or isolation.
Financial Abuse
When your spouse or parent goes to a nursing home, you or someone you trust should keep an eye on your loved one’s finances. A nursing home resident could become a target of identity theft or financial exploitation. If you notice unusual expenditures or withdrawals, check into the situation.
If you spot signs of nursing home abuse, contact a nursing home abuse lawyer at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine. Nursing home patients, particularly patients with severe physical limitations or dementia, are vulnerable to abuse. Be vigilant to ensure your loved one gets quality care in a nursing home.
Taking Action When You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse can go unreported. By visiting your loved one, you may be able to spot any abuse and take action. You may get acquainted with the staff, so an employee can let you know if something happens to your loved one. Let our attorneys know as soon as you suspect abuse.
What can our attorneys do?
- We will report the suspected abuse to the Adult Protective Services.
- We will investigate your concerns.
- We can check to see if anyone else filed a claim against the nursing home.
- If necessary, we will assist you in moving your loved one to a safe facility.
- We will evaluate your loved one’s situation to determine if he or she can get compensation for his or her injuries or damages.
- If your loved one passed away in a nursing home due to negligence, we can file a wrongful death action to recover damages
You have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover for injuries resulting from nursing home abuse. You can get compensation for your loved one’s injuries and pain and suffering, recover money or property someone took from your loved one, or receive punitive damages, damages intended to punish the at-fault party.
A nursing home is liable for acts of its employees within the scope of their employment. A third party, such as a security company, can be liable for injuries to your loved one.
If you suspect your loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse, call a nursing home abuse lawyer in Margate, FL, at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine at 1-800-747-3733 for a free consultation.
