Nursing home abuse and neglect is an issue that affects vulnerable seniors across the state of Florida. Unfortunately, it’s often difficult for victims and their families to identify these issues and take the necessary steps to protect their loved ones.
If you’re considering filing a claim against a nursing home for abuse or neglect, you may want to consider hiring a nursing home abuse and neglect attorney that is familiar with Florida law.
This article will help you understand the process of hiring an attorney, the benefits of hiring one, and how to make sure you find a qualified, experienced lawyer to work on your nursing home abuse case.
With the right attorney on your side, you can rest assured that your loved one’s rights will be protected and that you have the best possible chance of obtaining the compensation you’re seeking.
What Is Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect?
Nursing home abuse is any kind of mistreatment or neglect of a resident, whether physical or emotional. In some cases, the abuse may be deliberate: an angry caregiver might hit or neglect a patient intentionally. However, in many cases, the abuse is due to poor training, lack of supervision, or misunderstanding of the resident’s needs.
For example, a caregiver might be trying to be helpful by giving medication to calm a resident when they don’t really understand the resident’s condition. Nursing home neglect can take many forms, but it boils down to one thing: the resident is not getting the care they need.
This includes not receiving the right medications, not getting the help they need with daily activities, not having their pain (from illness or injury) treated, or not receiving proper nutrition. With over 15,000 nursing homes in the United States, the potential for abuse is alarming.
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
If you or your loved one are in a nursing home and notice any of these signs, there may be a problem. Physical abuse might include hitting, pushing, or other types of physical mistreatment.
It might also take the form of an unattended injury. For example, if your loved one has a wound that’s been left untended or a broken limb that’s been left untreated, this could be a sign of abuse and neglect.
Emotional abuse takes many forms, including threats, insults, or humiliation. It can also take the form of a caregiver treating your loved one in a way they do not like. For example, a caregiver who yells and curses at a resident when they’re not doing anything wrong can inflict verbal and emotional abuse.
If your loved one has untreated pain, is depressed, is not eating as they should, or has nutritional concerns, this could be a sign of neglect. Neglect can also take the form of improper hygiene, such as not changing clothes or cleaning wounds.
When to Hire a Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorney
If your loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, you can take legal action against the party at fault. The first step is to report the abuse or neglect to the state. In severe cases of nursing home abuse, you may need to call the authorities.
You will be asked to provide information about your loved one’s condition and the care they’ve received, as well as the name of the nursing home.
Once you’ve filed the complaint, there will be an investigation. This investigation can take several weeks or months. While the investigation is pending, you can consider filing a lawsuit against the nursing home. You can hire a nursing home abuse and neglect attorney to help you with this process.
Benefits of Hiring a Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorney
If you hire a nursing home abuse and neglect attorney, they will likely be able to negotiate a settlement with the nursing home or take the responsible party to court. A settlement is an agreement in which the nursing home agrees to pay a certain amount of money to resolve the case, thereby avoiding a costly and public trial.
The settlement amount will depend on the seriousness of your loved one’s injuries and the extent of the nursing home’s negligence.
You can use the settlement money to compensate for multiple forms of damages, including:
- Medical expenses
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
.
What to Look for in a Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorney
There are many factors to consider when hiring a nursing home abuse and neglect attorney. The first thing to look for is experience. A good attorney will have extensive experience handling cases where an elderly person was abused or neglected in a nursing home.
The attorney should have a good understanding of how these cases are investigated and how they are resolved. It’s also important to make sure the attorney has a good track record of success and a solid reputation in the community.
The best way to find out about an attorney’s track record is to ask for references from people who have used their services in the past.
What to Expect from Your Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorney
Once you have hired an attorney, they should be your main point of contact regarding your loved one’s case. This includes communicating with the nursing home’s attorney, collecting documents and evidence, and providing information to the investigator assigned to your case. It’s important to remember that the attorney works for you and is required to act in your best interests.
They should keep you informed about the case and any developments as they arise. You should feel free to ask questions and express any concerns you have about the case.
Need a Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorney in Florida? Call Anidjar & Levine!
Nursing home abuse and neglect is a serious problem that can have a lasting effect on your loved one’s health and well-being. If your loved one has been the victim of abuse or neglect in a nursing home in Florida, they may be entitled to substantial damages.
Unfortunately, these cases can be difficult to navigate on your own. You need an experienced attorney who knows how to navigate the systems and get results. When you work with the experienced attorneys at Anidjar & Levine, you can rest assured that your case is in good hands.
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