The state of Florida holds assisted living facilities, and the caregivers they employ, to strict standards. Unfortunately, these standards are not always enough to prevent abuse and mistreatment.
If your loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse, you deserve compensation. A nursing home abuse lawyer in Miami can help you get it.
Call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today for help. When older adults suffer abuse in nursing homes, we hold facilities and caregivers accountable. Our team offers a free case evaluation. We will sit down with you, review your situation, and let you know how we can help.
Call 1-800-747-3733.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse
Not all victims of abuse display obvious signs. Although the damage may not be clearly visible, this does not mean your loved one is not being mistreated.
Here are the most common categories of nursing home abuse, along with the behaviors that often fall into each category:
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse in nursing homes includes:
- Punching
- Kicking
- Slapping
- Hair pulling
- Spitting
- Excessively restraining
- Burning
- Shoving
Emotional Abuse
This type of abuse happens when a caregiver disregards the resident’s desires for care. Emotional abuse includes, but is not limited to:
- Insults
- Derogatory remarks
- Manipulation
- Isolation
- Intimidation
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse includes any unwanted sexual contact between a caregiver and a resident. It also includes behaviors that do not involve physical contact, such as:
- Indecent propositions
- Indecent exposure
- Viewing pornography in the presence of a resident
- Crude comments
- Sexually explicit stories, anecdotes, or jokes
Financial Abuse
Financial abuse occurs when a caregiver uses deceitful tactics to extract money or gifts from a resident. Sometimes it involves outright stealing. Other times the caregiver cajoles or manipulates the resident into letting them use their credit card or gain access to their funds.
Neglect
Nursing homes employ staff 24-hours a day to help residents with vital tasks they can no longer carry out on their own. Tasks may include eating, bathing, dressing, and taking medication. When a facility or caregiver fails to meet these needs, this harmful behavior is considered neglect.
How to Recognize the Signs of Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect in Your Loved One
Depending on your loved one’s mental state, they may or may not be capable of letting you know they are suffering abuse. Even if they can, they might be afraid to speak out.
Therefore, it is critical to know the signs of nursing home abuse and to watch out for them when visiting your loved one.
Signs of Physical or Sexual Abuse
- Unexplained injuries, including bruises, welts, scrapes, or broken bones
- Rope marks or other signs of excessive restraint
- Torn clothing
- Broken eyeglasses
- Denial of access to see your loved one without a logical reason
- Sexually transmitted disease
Signs of Emotional Abuse
- Depression or anxiety
- Withdrawal
- Fear or apprehension in the presence of a specific caregiver
Signs of Financial Abuse
- Unexplained credit card charges or ATM fees
- Missing money from bank accounts
- Missing cash from the resident’s room
- Changes in power of attorney
- Addition of authorized users to credit cards
Signs of Neglect
- Dirty appearance or unkempt clothing
- Missing doses of medication
- Bedsores
- Unclean living conditions
- Unexplained weight loss or dehydration
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What to Do if You Suspect Your Loved One Is Being Abused or Neglected
If you suspect your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse, take the following steps to protect their safety:
- Call 911 immediately if you believe they are in danger.
- Report your suspicions to the facility owner or manager. (If you suspect the owner or manager is involved or complicit, bypass this step.)
- File a report with the local police department.
- Contact the Florida Department of Elder Affairs at 1-800-96-ABUSE.
- Call 1-800-747-3733 for a free case evaluation with the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine.
The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine Can Help You Recover Compensation
A personal injury lawyer at our firm will work to help you recover the fair compensation your loved one deserves, which may include:
- Medical bills
- Time away from work
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Wrongful death (if your loved one died from nursing home abuse or neglect)
Schedule Your Free Case Evaluation
If your loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse, our attorneys want to meet with you right away. Call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine for a free case evaluation.
With no risk and no obligation, you can sit down with us, have your case reviewed, and find out how we can help. Call 1-800-747-3733.
