Orlando Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Here to Protect You and Your Loved Ones
If you or someone you love has been affected by nursing home abuse or neglect, connect with the Orlando nursing home abuse attorneys at Bogin, Munns & Munns. Our Orlando personal injury lawyers provide comprehensive and innovative throughout Florida. Our Orlando Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers will protect you or your loved one’s rights and handle every part of your case, from collecting evidence to managing communications with all involved parties.
Unfortunately, neglect and abuse in a nursing home happens on a daily basis. In cases of a life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately. Reports of abuse or suspected abuse can be made with the Florida Department of Children and Families’ Adult Protective Services or a local Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
To consult with an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer serving Orlando, call 855-780-9986
Overview of Elder Abuse
When considering the topic of elder abuse and the people who are likely to commit elder abuse, many may first think of hired caregivers. In other words, professionals who abuse their position and those in their charge. However, the NCEA reports the most likely perpetrators of elder abuse are the adult children of the victims themselves.
Statistically, the abusers are more likely to be male, socially isolated, unemployed, have been in trouble with the law, have health problems (either physically or mentally), and have a history of substance abuse.
Why Caregivers Become Abusive
When the abusers are hired caregivers, they may be engaging in abusive behavior for several reasons. The nursing home may be understaffed, which leads to employees feeling overworked and angry, which can cause them to lash out on residents. They may use restraints on residents or overmedicate them, sedating them to make their jobs easier.
The employees may also feel like they are not getting paid enough, causing them to be neglectful towards the residents or steal their money. They may also have received inadequate training, leading to them getting stressed and taking their frustration out on the residents, harming them.
We can find out if your loved one is suffering nursing home abuse, identify the liable party or parties, and hold them accountable for their wrongdoing. We will fight for your family; we want to bring you justice and fair compensation.
Orlando Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Near Me 855-780-9986
Types of Nursing Home Abuse
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines elder abuse as, “an intentional act, or failure to act, by a caregiver or another person in a relationship involving an expectation of trust that causes or creates a risk of harm to an older adult,” where an older adult is defined as someone at least 60 years of age. Elder abuse comes in many forms and does not need to be violent in nature.
Elder abuse includes:
Neglect
Neglect can be defined as a lack of care, including failure to keep the older person from harm, or failing to maintain the older person’s health and hygiene.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse involves intentionally causing pain or injury to the older person through physical force, including but not limited to hitting, scratching, kicking, and shoving.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is engaging in sexual activity (either physically or non-physically) without consent of the older person, and includes any sexual activity with older persons who are not competent or able to give consent.
Psychological / Emotional Abuse
This type of abuse involves any verbal or non-verbal abuse that causes the older person to experience mental distress, anguish, or fear, including but not limited to isolation and humiliation.
Financial Abuse
Financial abuse has to do with unauthorized, improper, or illegal use of the older person’s resources for the benefit of someone else, including but not limited to theft, coercion, fraud, or forgery.
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Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse is a much larger problem than once thought. Findings from one research brief presented by the NCEA found that over half of nursing home employees questioned admitted to some form of elder abuse, including psychological abuse, neglect, or physical violence.
Signs of nursing home abuse can include:
- Bruising and cuts
- Broken or fractured bones
- Refusing to eat or take medicine
- Change in mental status
- Mood swings
- Unexplained weight loss
- Bed sores
- Lack of hygiene
- Reclusiveness
If you notice any of these symptoms in your senior loved one, or any other strange, concerning behavior, it is best that you reach out for help. It is better to be safe and have us investigate the nursing home environment than to choose not to worry about it and find out later that abuse had been taking place for a while. Our elderly loved ones’ health and safety is a priority.
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Protecting Your Loved One from Nursing Home Abuse
How do you protect your loved ones from nursing home neglect and abuse?
Be Present
Nursing home residents who have regular visitors are less likely to suffer from nursing home abuse.
Be Perceptive
When visiting your loved one in a nursing home, remain aware of your surroundings and take note of any changes in the condition of your loved one. Is the nursing home well-staffed? Are conditions sanitary and maintained? Does your loved one have any bruises or marks indicating possible abuse? Has their attitude or personality changed recently?
Be Persistent
If you have questions about your loved one’s care or treatment by nursing home staff, make sure you get answers. Do not be afraid to hire an attorney, especially if the nursing home refuses to give you answers. A nursing home abuse attorney can help cut through the red tape and get you and your loved one the results you deserve.
Be Unpredictable
Be sure to make unexpected visits to your loved ones. Try to visit them at different times of day and on different days of the week.
Victims may also fear retaliation or reprisal from their abuser if they tell anyone. With the majority of abusers being family members, many victims may be unwilling to report neglect and abuse because they don’t want their caregiver to face the consequences.
Damages Your Family May Be Eligible to Collect
If you or a loved one has been involved in a nursing home abuse claim, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain, suffering, and inconvenience damages
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Emotional trauma
- Household expenses
We are humbled to assist you in the handling of a nursing home abuse case. We can meet you in the location that is most convenient for you. Our attorneys work hard and diligently to ensure your case is handled with the care you should expect from a firm that has been around for over 40 years.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation Today
Please call for your no-risk, no-obligation, cost-free consultation today. A compassionate team member wants to hear about your case and inform you of how one of our nursing home abuse attorneys can help.
You do not have to handle this harrowing situation on your own. Reach out to us now, as you may have a limited period of time to pursue compensation before you are barred from doing so.
Call or text 855-780-9986 or submit our Consultation Request form today
