Trusted Legal Advice for Nursing Home Abuse Victims – FL

Making the decision to admit a loved one into a nursing home is one of the hardest you will ever make. You hope that your family member will receive the proper care and support they need but sadly, this does not always happen. Nursing homes, particularly in Florida, do not always provide the high quality care that is expected of them. In fact, recent reports of neglect at Florida facilities show this is not an isolated problem. When they fail in this regard and nursing home abuse occurs, seniors suffer some of the most serious injuries. Sometimes, those injuries are life-threatening. Below, our Miami nursing home abuse lawyer outlines the type of wrongdoing in these facilities, and what you can do to make things right.

Types of Abuse in Nursing Homes

Many people automatically think of physical injuries when they consider nursing home abuse. While hitting, pinching, pushing, and slapping do happen in nursing homes, physical abuse is not the only type to occur in long-term facilities. In fact, it is not even the most common. Other types of nursing home abuse are as follows:

  • Emotional abuse: Emotional abuse is the most common type of abuse in nursing homes. It can involve humiliating, isolating, and verbally assaulting residents. 
  • Sexual abuse: No one wants to think about it, but sexual abuse also occurs in nursing homes. Residents with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia are particularly at risk because they may not understand it is occurring.
  • Financial abuse: Nursing home staff members may try to take advantage of residents and exploit them financially. While staff members may try to steal from residents directly, this is not as common. More often, staff members trick them into signing legal documents such as wills or powers of attorney.

Neglect: Not all wrongdoing that occurs in nursing homes is intentional. Staff members may also neglect residents, which also results in serious harm. Malnutrition, dehydration, improper hygiene, and abandonment are all common forms of negligence that occur in nursing homes.

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

It is critical that family members know how to spot the signs of nursing home abuse so they can put a stop to it as soon as possible. The most common signs are as follows:

  • Bruises
  • Scars
  • Physical injuries, such as broken bones, strains, and sprains
  • Broken eyeglasses or other personal property that can indicate violent interactions
  • Withdrawal
  • Depression
  • Sudden changes in mood or behavior
  • Disinterest in activities the resident once loved
  • Unexplained injuries in the genital area
  • Torn or stained underwear
  • Unexplained STDs
  • Lack of basic necessities such as clean clothing and bedding
  • Unexplained withdrawals from financial accounts
  • Changes in legal documents, such as a power of attorney

Of course, knowing how to respond when you suspect neglect matters just as much as recognizing the signs, and it is worth a closer look at what actually counts as a warning sign under Florida law.

Call Our Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in Miami After Spotting the Signs

If you have noticed signs of abuse or neglect in your loved one, you need legal advice. At Jimenez Mazzitelli Mordes, our Miami nursing home abuse attorney can provide it and help you and your family obtain the maximum settlement you deserve. It also helps to understand the legal rights a neglected nursing home resident has. Call us today at 305-548-8750 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation and to get sound legal advice.