Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Fort Lauderdale

People send their loved ones to nursing homes in Fort Lauderdale so that they can get the level of care that they need. The problem is that there are many assisted living facilities that don’t actually provide the level of care that your loved one needs, creating a situation where they suffer from neglect, personal injury, and even potentially wrongful death. If your loved one was a victim of improper care at a Fort Lauderdale nursing home, you need a Fort Lauderdale nursing home abuse attorney to get you the compensation that you are entitled to. Reading on, you can learn more about how a Fort Lauderdale nursing home abuse attorney can help you.

Rights of Residents in Fort Lauderdale Nursing Homes

According to Florida law, residents of nursing homes have the right to their own independent decision-making while they are in the nursing home. What this means is that the nursing home staff are not able to force the residents to engage in activities and other things that they may not want to participate in. It is never acceptable for the nursing home staff to apply physical force to make a resident do something, with the exception of if they pose a threat to themselves or others. The nursing home staff should be encouraging the residents to exercise these rights.

Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. There are different types of neglect and abuse that your loved one may suffer from at a Fort Lauderdale nursing home, such as:

• Having their money/possessions stolen
• Physical assault of the resident
• Sexual assault of the resident
• Not allowing the resident to have food or water
• Not providing adequate comforts or shelter

If you feel as though your loved one could be suffering from nursing home abuse, a lawyer that specializes in this field can be extremely helpful to you.

Nursing Home Abuse Injuries Most Commonly Seen

There are some common injuries that can occur as a result of nursing home abuse. These injuries include:

• Pressure ulcers
• Broken bones or bruises that cannot be explained
• Weight loss
• Falls
• Infections
• Improperly administering medication
• Wrongful death

A Fort Lauderdale nursing home abuse attorney can help you determine the cause of your loved one’s injuries and whether or not these were the result of abuse or neglect.

Signs of Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse

There is an alarming trend of assisted living and nursing home residents suffering from some type of abuse or neglect. The worst part is that this vulnerable population doesn’t usually get the justice that they deserve for these abuses. It is important that you recognize the signs of this type of abuse and neglect so you can protect your loved one from any further egregious acts.

It’s always better to err on the side of caution when you suspect that there is some type of abuse or neglect going on. You should contact a lawyer as well as the proper authorities so that you can have this issue looked into more closely. This will help you identify abuse before it becomes life-threatening or give you peace of mind that your loved one is in good hands.

This section will break down the different signs of abuse based on the different circumstances.

Physical Abuse Signs

• Unexplained injuries, or ones that the resident refuses to talk about
• Pressure marks, bruises, broken bones, scrapes, burns, and other injuries that seem suspicious
• Cowering, flinching, or avoiding certain staff members

Neglect Signs

• Medical needs not being properly met
• Not getting the right prescriptions
• Unclean bedding
• Bedsores
• Dirty clothing and an appearance that is disheveled
• Unusual or dramatic weight loss

Financial Abuse Signs

• Withdrawals from the bank account that has no explanation
• Bounced checks
• Changes to the will or estate that seems unusual
• New best friends that are unexpected or unusual, particularly in those with a large age difference
• Overly secretive

Emotional Abuse Signs

Many of the signs you will notice of emotional abuse tend to be similar to the signs of physical abuse and neglect. This occurs as the result of being teased, taunted, getting yelled at, and being belittled. This also includes treating the loved one as a child.

Sexual Abuse Signs

Again, the most common signs of sexual abuse are similar to emotional abuse, physical abuse, and neglect. The sexual abuse that may be suffered in a nursing home includes groping, unwanted touching, nonconsensual sex, and kissing. There may also be additional behavioral issues that are noticed in your loved one if they are a victim of sexual abuse.

What to Do If Your Loved One is a Victim of Nursing Home Abuse

Fort Lauderdale nursing homes and assisted living facilities are held to high standards, especially strict regulations enforced by the state of Florida. By understanding your loved one’s rights, you can intervene to prevent further abuse or neglect that your loved one may suffer from. It also helps to understand the signs of neglect and the different types of abuse.

If you notice any signs of abuse or you suspect that there is abuse or neglect at the nursing home or assisted living facility, you should first contact a lawyer. They can walk you through the process so that you know what to expect and what your next steps should be. If there is a problem with abuse or neglect in the nursing home or assisted living facility, they can help you by compiling evidence and working with investigators to ensure that justice is served so that no other residents can fall victim to these abuses. Then, they can get started on your legal case so that you can get the compensation that your loved one deserves.

Conclusion

The Injury Firm has the team of experts that you need to ensure that you get the best possible outcomes for your case. You put your trust in a nursing home or assisted living facility, trusting that your loved one would be adequately cared for. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. If something happened to your loved one while under the care of a Fort Lauderdale nursing home or other assisted living facility, you do have a right to compensation. Contact our team today to see how we can help you with your case of nursing home abuse.