Nursing home neglect and abuse is a very real problem, especially in states like Florida which have large senior populations. As the number of seniors entering senior care facilities grows, so do reports of abuse and neglect to the elderly.
Unable to fend for themselves, nursing home residents rely on the nursing home staff for the care and assistance they require. While most nursing home and senior care facilities are managed by dedicated, conscientious professionals there are a few bad apples that neglect or abuse the people the people they are being paid to care for.
Nursing Homes are Accountable for Acts of Abuse and Neglect
If you suspect that a senior family member has been the victims of nursing home abuse or neglect, it’s up to you to take immediate action on their behalf. The place to start is by contacting Fort Lauderdale nursing home liability lawyer Lisa Levine. With over 35 years of experience as a personal injury lawyer, Lisa has helped people like you get the justice your elderly loved ones deserve for the abuse and neglect they’ve had to endure.
Injury Victim
State and federal laws regulating nursing homes establish the legal standards of safety and protection nursing homes must provide for their residents. Nursing homes that violate these laws can be held liable for any harm that comes to the residents in their care.
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
Sadly, some nursing home staff in Florida take advantage of the seniors in their care either through abuse or neglect.
Neglect means failing to adequately provide adequate care that a nursing home’s residents require, either through carelessness, callousness or an attempt to reduce operating costs to maximize profits.
Abuse is a much more heinous offense. This includes emotional, verbal, sexual and physical abuse along with property theft and financial exploitation – criminal actions that the nursing home owners can and should be held liable for.
Your loved ones may be too intimidated to admit that they are victims of nursing home abuse and neglect. However, there are many warning signs to look out for, including:
- Sudden weight loss
- Unusual mood swings
- Slow response by staff to answer call lights
- Poor hygiene
- Bedsores (decubitus pressure ulcers)
- Fractures and other injuries resulting from falls
- Dehydration and malnutrition
- Loss of appetite
- Restricted access to residents
- Sever bruising
- Unexplained injuries
- Missing personal items
- Exposure to infectious disease, including COVID-19/coronavirus
Answers to Your Questions About Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
After my loved one has passed away, am I still able to sue the nursing home?
It doesn’t matter where in Florida your loved one died, the nursing home’s liability for their actions doesn’t go away when they are abused or neglected. In cases of wrongful death, the spouse or child of a deceased person can file a lawsuit for damages, the amount of which will depend on your relationship.
Does a nursing home resident have the right to sue for physical, emotional, or psychological damages?
Various types of injuries can result from abuse and neglect in nursing homes, including emotional and psychological trauma. Under Florida law, a victim of abuse can sue for all three types of damages.
Do nursing homes have any liability if another resident injures a resident?
The nursing home is legally responsible for supervising its residents; however, the employees of the facility are often untrained or understaffed, making residents vulnerable. A nursing home can be held liable for negligent supervision when one patient injures another.
We Fight Against Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect in South Florida
If you fear that your loved ones have been the victim of nursing home neglect or abuse contact the Fort Lauderdale nursing home liability attorneys at Lisa Levine, P.A. We handle all personal injury cases on a contingency basis. This means there are no hidden or up-front costs for our clients. We only collect a fee when we secure your settlement either through negotiation, mediation or trial.
Don’t let your elderly loved ones suffer another minute. Call us at (954) 256-1820 or contact us online to schedule a confidential consultation to discuss the facts of your case. We’re here to protect senior citizens in Fort Lauderdale and surrounding communities, including Coral Springs, Sunrise, Fort Lauderdale, Tamarac, Miami, Weston, Hollywood, Miramar, Boca Raton.
