Nursing Home Abuse / Neglect

Fort Lauderdale Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys

When our loved ones succumb to the ailments of aging, we do our best to care for and comfort them. Often, though, we are unable to devote the care they deserve, and we must trust on third parties to see that our loved ones receive the best of care. When this trust is betrayed and nursing home staff abuses or neglects the residents they are supposed to be tending to, the stress can be overwhelming. We at Levine & Glassman understand that it's difficult to face the abuse of a loved one and are dedicated to helping you fight this injustice.

If a loved one has been abused or neglected by a health care official in a nursing home, seeking the advice of an attorney can be the best plan of action. The accusation of abuse or neglect is something most nursing homes will take very seriously, so having legal counsel on your side will help ensure that your lawsuit proceeds fairly. Taking action and acquiring experienced legal representation will help you restore care to your loved one or compensate you for your loss.

Experienced Representation for Nursing Home Abuse in Florida

Our philosophy at Levine & Glassman, P.A. is that no stone should be left unturned in the process of your lawsuit. Our attorneys exhibit the qualities of experience, integrity, and resolve throughout the legal process to ensure that each case is thoroughly and effectively resolved for our clients. Let us put that philosophy to work for you in your lawsuit. Contact us today at (954) 332-6100 or fill out or online case evaluation form to schedule a free direct consultation with one of our attorneys and learn how you can approach your nursing home abuse or neglect lawsuit throughout Southeast Florida, including the South Florida Metropolitan Area of Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and West Palm Beach.

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Nursing Home Abuse Information Center

• Overview of Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse
• Types of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
• Signs of Abuse or Neglect
• What to Do When You Suspect Abuse or Neglect
• How We Can Help
• Nursing Home Abuse Resources

Overview of Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse

Usually, the abuse or neglect of elderly people in a nursing home is a result of underpaid, overworked, or poorly trained nursing home staff. These staff workers and health care officials can be stressed to the point of accidental neglect, or there could be staffers who aren't comfortable around elderly patients and commit acts of neglect or abuse.

The National Center on Elder Abuse compiled a report in 2005 that put forth estimates on the prevalence and incidence of nursing home abuse. Estimates have anywhere from 2% to 10% of elderly people in nursing homes reporting some kind of abuse or neglect, though it is also estimated that only one in six cases is reported to the authorities.

Nursing home abuse is surprisingly prevalent; being able to detect the signs of abuse or neglect and knowing what to do when you discover these acts could save your loved one's life.

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Types of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

To understand what to do in the case of elder abuse, you must understand the different ways that an elderly person can be abused or neglected. Knowing how your loved one could be abused will help you more effectively spot the signs of abuse or neglect. These different types of abuse or neglect include:

• Abuse
  • Physical Abuse
  • Emotional Abuse
  • Sexual Abuse
  • Exploitation
• Neglect
  • Abandonment
  • Physical Neglect
  • Emotional Neglect
  • Medical Neglect
  • Basic Needs Neglect / Dehydration / Malnutrition
  • Personal Hygiene Neglect

These types of abuse and neglect show different sets of signs, but paying close attention and talking to your loved one on a regular basis can help you identify when neglect or abuse is happening.

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Signs of Abuse or Neglect

It can be difficult to know when your loved is being abused or neglected in a nursing home, since you can't always be there to know what's going on. You can only discover so much during visiting hours, and none of the staff will openly admit to having abused or neglected your loved one while you're there. Even talking to your loved one may not be enough to discover signs of abuse; they may feel a sense of loyalty to the nursing home or feel as though they are complaining by telling you anything negative about their time there.

With that in mind, it's important that you are able to detect the signs of nursing home neglect and abuse to protect your loved one during their stay there. Some of the more common signs include:

• Sudden weight gain or loss
• Open wounds / cuts / sores
• Unexplained soiling or poor hygiene
• Infections
• Loss of hair
• Burns, abrasions, bruises, or bleeding
• Unresponsiveness
• Strange behavior / infantile actions
• Disappearance of personal belongings
• Physical or emotional withdrawal
• Bedsores / Pressure Ulcers
• Dehydration
• Malnutrition

Paying close attention during visits to your loved one in the nursing home will help ensure that they are properly cared for during their stay. Noticing these telltale signs of neglect or abuse is never a happy occurrence, however, and action must be taken in that case. Knowing what to do after you discover these condition is important.

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What to Do When You Suspect Abuse or Neglect

The most important thing to do when you find that your loved one has been abused or neglected in a nursing home is to stay calm. We understand that this is an emotional topic and that something should be done, but getting angry and confronting the nursing home staff won't help.

The first step is to politely contact the facility's administration regarding the issue. Let them give an explanation and a solution; they may not have known that the negligent behavior was taking place, and that may be all that is necessary to resolve the issue. Should you be unsatisfied with their response, however, you need to take legal action.

Consulting with an attorney is important once it gets to this point, because a formal lawsuit—and criminal charges, if the case warrants them—must be filed against the nursing home and any negligent staff member involved in the neglect or abuse.

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How We Can Help

The attorneys at Levine & Glassman, P.A. are dedicated to the service of individuals who have suffered as a result of someone else's negligent behavior. We are committed to making sure that you and your family are fairly compensated for your suffering in the case of nursing home abuse or neglect in Florida. Our focus on legal counsel based on experience, integrity, and resolve gives our clients the peace of mind they deserve after such a traumatic experience.

Contact us today if you have a medical malpractice or health care negligence claim in the areas of Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach Counties, including Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and West Palm Beach. Don't hesitate; time is limited, and our line is open for your call. Call us at (954) 332-6100 or use our contact form to discuss the details of your case and schedule a free consultation directly with one of our attorneys.

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Nursing Home Abuse Resources

The National Consumer Voice for Long-Term Care - The NCVLTC advocates public policy and consumer awareness for long-term care establishments like nursing homes and promotes the training of individuals who are truly concerned with the well-being of elderly patients.

The National Center on Elder Abuse - The NCEA is a division of the federal Administration on Aging that concerns itself with the protection of elderly nursing home residents and making consumers aware of the prevalence of nursing home abuse. Contains interesting statistics and helpful links for those learning about nursing home abuse.

The National Adult Protective Services Association - Like the Child Protective Services, the NAPSA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of vulnerable adults and elders. Membership with the NAPSA gives access to resources and training on issues related to vulnerable adult and elder protection.