5 Common Types of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

If you’ve recently discovered that a loved one was abused or neglected in a nursing home, it’s only natural to want justice. Whether or not the incident leads to criminal charges will depend on the circumstances, but even if no charges are brought, you may still be able to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim against the at-fault facility.

In some case, it’s not always clear whether abuse or neglect has occurred. The vast majority of nursing home residents have at least one serious injury or illness, so just because a resident suffers a medical complication or dies doesn’t necessarily mean any wrongdoing has transpired. Below is an overview of the 5 common types of nursing home abuse and neglect in Florida that may warrant legal action:

1. Physical Abuse

Nursing home residents in Florida have the right to a safe living environment that is free from abuse and neglect. Caregivers violate this right when they hit residents or use unnecessary physical force or restraints. Signs of physical abuse include unexplained bruises, restraint marks on the wrists and ankles, and injuries that are in different stages of healing.

2. Caregiver Neglect

Nursing home neglect takes many forms. Your family might have grounds for a negligence claim if your loved one was deprived of basic needs such as food, water, or reasonable shelter. Other examples of nursing home neglect include depriving a resident of exercise activities, social interaction, the ability to go outside, hygienic assistance, or appropriate health care.

3. Administrative Neglect

Sometimes, nursing home neglect can be traced back to inept administration or management of the facility. Understaffing, for example, can prevent residents from receiving the care and attention they need. Other examples of administrative neglect include failing to implement adequate security measures or hiring caregivers without conducting background checks.

4. Financial Exploitation

It’s certainly not unheard-of for caregivers to take advantage of vulnerable nursing home residents through financial exploitation. Unscrupulous caregivers may even falsify records, forge signatures, or steal for financial gain.

5. Sexual Abuse

It’s difficult to fathom how a person could sexually abuse a nursing home resident, but it does happen. If your loved one was sexually abused, a seasoned attorney can help you take legal action to hold the assailant and facility accountable for their egregious wrongdoing.

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Nobody enters their loved one into a nursing home expecting that he or she will be mistreated. Unfortunately, nursing home abuse and neglect are growing problems in Florida and around the United States. It is therefore important that family members of nursing home residents know the signs of abuse and neglect, which include:

• Bruises, restraint marks, lacerations, and other unexplained visible wounds;
• Changes in mood or behavior;
• Not being allowed to visit your loved one without a caregiver present;
• Changes to your family member’s will;
• The opening of new credit card accounts; and
• Diagnosis of an STI.

 Call Today Speak with a Florida Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

The attorneys at Emerson Straw offer aggressive and compassionate representation to nursing home abuse victims and their families. To discuss your case in a free consultation, send us a message or call (727) 821-1500.