A Boca Raton emotional abuse lawyer can serve as an advocate for you and your family if one of your elderly loved ones was emotionally abused in their nursing home. According to the National Council on Elder Abuse (NCEA) research, about one out every three U.S. nursing homes have been cited for federal violations that have the potential to cause harm. Your loved one might have been a victim of emotional abuse if they were:
- Mentally abused
- Overtly neglected
- Yelled or screamed at
- Spoken to using profanity
If the family member you trusted to nursing home care in Boca Raton shows signs of emotional abuse, you could have the basis of a nursing home abuse claim. To find out what you can do to support your loved one’s compensation claim and to ensure they are not further victimized, contact the Boca Raton nursing home abuse lawyer at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine by calling us today.
Recovering From Nursing Home Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse can be difficult to recover from. The National Institute on Aging (NIA) reports that there are some long-term difficulties your elderly loved one might experience in the aftermath of emotional abuse.
Unlike physical injuries that might occur with other forms of nursing home abuse, emotional abuse can take longer to recover from. Emotional abuse of elderly men and women can lead to:
- Premature death
- Psychological damage
- An inability to trust
- Limited social ties and interactions
- Depression
- Self-isolation
Your loved one might be reluctant to talk about their abuse at first. Reassure your loved one of their safety and provide counseling and therapy as needed. The cost of these psychological treatments may be recovered when you file a nursing home abuse insurance claim or lawsuit.
Your Recovering Loved One Might Benefit From Counseling and Therapy
Was your elderly loved one emotionally damaged in their Boca Raton nursing home? Victims of emotional abuse can require specialized care while they recover. The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends social and emotional support for senior citizens who were the victims of emotional abuse. Your loved one might also benefit from:
- Family support
- Peer support
- Private counseling
- Support groups
Your elderly loved one might require long-term counseling and therapy and repeated reassurances to treat the symptoms of their emotional abuse. Speak to their health care professional about options for mental health care and ongoing support. You may also want to speak to a legal professional about recovering the costs of all abuse-related physical and mental health care.
Emotional Abuse Violates Your Nursing Home Resident’s Rights
The state of Florida takes the safety of its nursing home residents seriously. The state has enacted a Nursing Home Bill of Rights designed to protect residents from abuse and neglect. According to Florida Statutes §429.28, your elderly loved one’s rights include complete freedom from neglect or abuse and the right to be treated with courtesy, respect, and dignity.
Emotional abuse violates these rights and leaves a long-lasting, sometimes permanent, mark on your loved one. When staff members or volunteers at your loved one’s Boca Raton nursing home subject them to emotional abuse, you and your loved one may be entitled to full financial compensation. The recoverable damages you may be entitled to include:
- Medical care
- Emotional therapy
- Psychological counseling
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional trauma
- Relocation expenses
The Boca Raton emotional abuse lawyer who represents you in your compensation claim will review your potential recovery options and work hard to accurately value your claim. Call us to speak to a member of the legal team at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today.
Do Not Overlook the State’s Filing Deadline
Generally, when you file a nursing home abuse lawsuit in Boca Raton, Florida Statutes §400.0236 entitles you to do so up to two years from the date of your loved one’s injury. Because their injury is an emotional one, it might be difficult to determine the relevant timeline on your own.
Failing to accurately determine the filing deadline or otherwise comply with the statute of limitations means you risk losing your right to financial compensation. If you file your lawsuit too late, it will likely be dismissed without ever being heard. You do not have to navigate the time restrictions on your own. With the support of our nursing home abuse team, we can help you comply with the statute of limitations.
Proving Emotional Abuse in Boca Raton
Your loved one’s tale of abuse has value. First, being able to tell their story in a safe space might help them start to cope with it. Secondly, their story can help us start investigating their abuse and holding the nursing home responsible for the current state of their mental health.
We start by interviewing your loved one. After hearing their story, we might be able to construct a relevant timeline. We will also interview other residents and nursing home caregivers if possible and ask for employee records. Our team members may also request medical records and bills that help prove the financial cost of the abuse your loved one endured.
Fight Back Against Emotional Abuse
If someone you love was the victim of emotional abuse in their Boca Raton nursing home, you might be able to seek financial recovery from the nursing home or their insurance company. Get responsive legal care you will appreciate from our client care team. We go the extra mile for you so you can worry about helping your elderly loved one recover from emotional abuse while our client care team takes care of everything else.
A Boca Raton emotional abuse lawyer will support you while you seek financial recovery for your loved one’s pain and suffering. Contact the nursing home abuse and neglect team at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine by calling us.
We Can Help.