You trust the caregivers and administrators at your loved one’s nursing home or other long-term care facility to look out for their best interests and keep them safe. However, nursing home abuse is surprisingly common. If you believe your senior or another resident at a care facility is the victim of an abusive or neglectful employee or staff, you need to report your suspicions as soon as possible.
If the evidence does point to nursing home abuse, you also need to contact a knowledgeable South Florida lawyer immediately. At the Law Firm of Anidjar & Levine, our legal team is ready to take on your case and recover the compensation your aging loved one deserves for the ordeal they suffered through. Call our office today to schedule your free initial consultation with a nursing home abuse lawyer in Miramar.
What are the Types of Nursing Home Abuse?
Often, people have the misconception that all abuse is physical. They look for unusual bruising, cuts, or scrapes, but they do not look for signs of other types of abuse. While physical abuse does occur, you also need to watch for other types of mistreatment.
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse includes threats, name-calling, and other tactics that cause intimidation, humiliation, and fear. Seniors who have the ability may report this behavior outright. In other cases, this is not possible and you may need to witness the abuse or other inappropriate behavior before you know what is happening. Since there are no physical signs, proving emotional abuse is difficult, but not impossible. We can help.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse often leaves physical signs, including bruising on the breasts or genitals. If you see any unexplained bruising, especially in these areas, it is important to report your findings immediately. We have the resources necessary to investigate your loved one’s injuries and identify the abuser. Not only can you file criminal charges against the abuser, but we can hold the nursing home responsible for their employee’s actions.
Financial Abuse
Financial abuse can be just as damaging as physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. It can limit the senior’s ability to get the care they need and alter their quality of life dramatically. Financial abuse may occur when a caregiver:
- Steals from the resident;
- Makes unauthorized charges on a credit card or debit card;
- Charges them for unnecessary or unperformed services; or
- Otherwise misappropriates the senior’s money.
If you notice any unexplained activity in your loved one’s financial records or bank statements, contact us immediately.
Neglect: One of the Most Common Types of Miramar Nursing Home Abuse
Neglect is one of the most common ways nursing home abuse occurs. Some people falsely believe neglect is not a type of abuse because it is not always intentional. Intentional or not, neglect puts residents in danger and causes physical and emotional suffering.
Staffing issues are the primary cause of nursing home neglect. Many long-term care homes for seniors cannot maintain an adequately sized staff. The facility’s administration may turn a blind eye to poorly trained caregivers or throw up their hands when their nurses cannot perform all of their tasks during a single shift. When this occurs, residents begin to suffer almost immediately. They rely on these staff members to help with self-care, medical treatment, and even meal time.
Family members often become aware of neglect when they spot:
- Untreated or new bedsores;
- Injuries from frequent falls;
- Issues with hygiene or cleanliness;
- Soiled sheets or clothing;
- Excessive medications; or
- Missed doses of prescribed medications.
Proving neglect is complex. We may need to call on expert witnesses to testify to the proper and expected level of care for a Florida nursing home. We have the resources and experience to manage these claims. Our Miramar personal injury lawyers can ensure your loved one gets the care they need quickly.
What Should I do if I Suspect Nursing Home Abuse?
Not every new bruise indicates abuse and even the most thorough caregivers make minor mistakes now and again. However, it pays to report any possible signs of abuse as soon as possible. Document any physical injuries using your smartphone or other camera and make notes about the location and size of bruises or bedsores. Then report the abuse to the home’s administration.
You should also report the incident to the Department of Elder Affairs by calling 800-962-2873 or filing a report online. If you believe a senior is in immediate danger, do not hesitate to call 911 or the local police as quickly as possible. Local law enforcement can ensure all residents are safe and get them the immediate medical care they need. They can also assist as you report the incident to other watchdog agencies for investigation.
Do I need to Call an Attorney?
Nursing home abuse cases are complex. They involve several areas of law and there are numerous federal and state guidelines that apply to nursing homes. These may vary based on several other factors, such as if the nursing home is a private or a public facility. While an attorney familiar with these cases will understand how medical malpractice, personal injury, and contract laws work together in these cases, it is unlikely an individual with no legal education or background will.
Your first concern is ensuring your loved one is safe and well-cared for. Once you report the abuse, it is time to call us. We can investigate your suspicions, identify the abuser or cause of the neglect, and hold the nursing home owner and administrators responsible. Recovering compensation in a case like this allows you to get your loved one the level of care they deserve or pay for an attendant so your family member can remain in your home. We can also recover money to help you pay for medical treatment and counseling to help your loved one overcome their trauma.
How can I Talk to a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer in Miramar for Free?
The Law Firm of Anidjar & Levine offers free, no-obligation consultations. If you believe your loved one was the victim of abuse or neglect, we can help you identify the liable parties and file for compensation. Call us today to discuss your legal options.
We Can Help.
