When your loved one moves to a nursing home, you expect that he or she will receive appropriate and adequate care. Unfortunately, nursing home neglect and abuse are prevalent problems. The Office of the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that 85% of nursing homes reported at least one instance of alleged abuse to DHHS in 2012 alone. While Florida has strict regulations and laws in place governing the standard of care in nursing homes, some workers negligently or intentionally harm residents and cause serious injuries. If your loved one has been seriously injured in a nursing home, getting experienced help from a Florida nursing home abuse attorney at the Bodden & Bennett Law Group is important. We can help your loved one to get the help that he or she needs and hold the nursing home accountable for their wrongful or negligent actions.
Types of nursing home abuse
A Florida nursing home abuse lawyer at Bodden & Bennett wants you to know that nursing home abuse takes multiple forms. Nursing home abuse is not strictly limited to physical abuse or physical neglect. Instead, the different forms of nursing home abuse include the following:
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Neglect
- Financial exploitation
- Self-neglect
- Abandonment
All of these types of abuse can cause psychological, emotional, financial, or physical injuries. A Florida nursing home abuse attorney at Bodden & Bennett can help you to understand the types of abuse and signs that abuse has occurred. We can advocate for your loved one’s rights to recover damages.
Signs of abuse
Elderly adults may not report their abuse because of fear or incapacity. This makes it important for you to understand the signs that abuse has occurred so that you can take action if you recognize any of them.
Some of the signs of abuse include the following:
- Withdrawn behavior
- Bruises, cuts, and other physical injuries
- Fractures
- Bedsores
- Refusing visitors
- Fear of a specific staff member
- Diagnosis of a sexually transmitted disease
- Sudden changes in behavior
- Torn or stained underwear
- Bleeding or bruised genitals
- Soiled clothing
- Unsanitary conditions
- Unexplained weight loss
- Checks written to staff members
- Missing valuables or money
- Missing medication
- The appearance of being over-medicated
Many other signs can indicate that abuse has occurred. If you suspect abuse, you should get immediate help from a Florida nursing home abuse attorney at Bodden & Bennett.
Get help today from a Florida nursing home abuse lawyer at Bodden & Bennett
A Florida nursing home abuse attorney at Bodden & Bennett can help you to determine whether abuse or neglect has occurred and help you to hold everyone responsible for the abuse accountable for their actions. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation by calling our firm at 561.806.5229.
