Palm Beach Gardens Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
Florida has long been a popular retirement destination for seniors looking to spend their golden years in comfort. Of course, many of these seniors reside in nursing homes and long-term care facilities that provide room and board as well as medical care. Unfortunately, some of these nursing homes do not live up to their promise of providing first-rate, compassionate care to our most vulnerable Palm Beach County residents.
If you are currently in a nursing home–or have a close family member or friend who is a resident–and there is evidence of abuse or neglect on the part of the facility, it is critical to speak up and take action. The Palm Beach nursing home abuse lawyers at Steinberg Law represent Florida seniors and family members who seek justice and financial compensation for acts of abuse and neglect by providers who have a legal and ethical duty to do right by all of their residents.
Have You Seen the Signs of Nursing Home Abuse?
Nursing home abuse broadly refers to conduct that meets the standard of care required of any long-term care facility in Florida. In some cases, abuse refers to intentional acts of harm directed at a specific patient. But abuse can also take the form of neglect, where a nursing home’s management and staff allow conditions to deteriorate below the legally acceptable minimum standards.
Some of the more common signs of nursing home abuse include:
- Physical abuse — Frequent and/or unexplained bruises, abrasions, broken bones, head trauma, or open wounds are all potential signs of direct physical abuse by the staff or another resident.
- Sexual abuse — Unexplained sexually transmitted diseases, genital trauma, or a noticeable increase in behaviors exhibiting anxiety and depression are all common signs that a nursing home resident suffered sexual abuse.
- Emotional abuse — Emotional distress, agitation, refusal to communicate, and certain nervous behaviors such as biting or rocking, can suggest a nursing home resident is the victim of emotional or psychological abuse.
- Financial abuse — Any sudden and unexpected changes in a nursing home resident’s financial situation, such as unexplained withdrawals from their bank account or a person added to an account, suggests possible financial exploitation.
- Neglect — Dehydration, malnutrition, bedsores, missed medications, and lack of personal hygiene and unsanitary room conditions are all signs that a nursing home is neglecting a resident by failing to provide basic care.
Contact Steinberg Law Today
Victims of nursing home abuse, or their families, can file a civil lawsuit against a nursing home for acts of abuse and neglect. In the case of a resident who died due to such abuse or neglect, the victim’s estate can file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the family. Through such legal action, a Florida court can order a nursing home to pay financial compensation as damages for its actions.
If you would like to learn more from a qualified Palm Beach Gardens nursing home abuse lawyer, contact Steinberg Law today to schedule a consultation.
