Delray Beach Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
Elder abuse is an all-too-common problem in Florida. According to the National Council on Aging, about 1 in 5 older adults have reported being victims of elder abuse. Sadly, many of these abuse cases occurred in nursing homes.
Nursing homes and other long-term care facilities must provide a clean, safe, and supporting environment for their residents. Failure to meet these obligations is itself a form of elder abuse and neglect. The Delray Beach nursing home abuse lawyers at Steinberg Law represent residents and family members seeking compensation for injuries suffered as the result of acts of physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse.
Taking a Stand Against Elder Abuse and Neglect
Only a small fraction of nursing home abuse cases are ever reported. There are several reasons for this. In some cases, the abused resident is kept isolated and unable to tell anyone. In others, the victim feels shame and does not want to admit they have been abused. And in many situations, friends and family members who are in a position to help simply do not notice the signs of abuse.
With that in mind, here are some of the more common forms of nursing home abuse we see and the signs to look out for:
- Physical Abuse — Any unusual or unexplained bruises, burns, lacerations, or scars are common signs that a nursing home resident has been subjected to physical abuse, either by members of the staff or even other residents in the facility.
- Emotional Abuse — If a nursing home resident is forcibly isolated, kept from seeing family and friends, and is regularly subjected to verbal attacks and harassment, that is considered emotional abuse.
- Financial Abuse — It is not uncommon for nursing home staff members to financially exploit the residents in their care. If you notice any sudden changes to a nursing home resident’s financial situation, such as unexplained withdrawals of large amounts of cash from their checking account, that may be a red flag for financial abuse.
- Sexual Abuse — Any signs of unwanted sexual contact, particularly bruising or tearing around the genital area, as well as sudden or unexplained changes in a nursing home resident’s mood are strong signs of possible sexual abuse.
- Neglect — If a nursing home fails to provide a resident with basic care, including food, access to healthcare and medicine, and hygienic living conditions, that is unacceptable and illegal neglect.
Contact Steinberg Law Today
When it comes to possible nursing home abuse, if you see something you need to say something. You can start by contacting a qualified Delray Beach nursing home abuse lawyer who can advise you and the abused resident of their rights under the law. You can take a nursing home to court for committing, enabling, or allowing abuse and obtain financial compensation to cover the victim’s additional medical bills and pain and suffering. So do not delay. Contact Steinberg Law today to schedule an initial consultation with a member of our staff.
