Orlando Nursing Home Abuse AttorneyPeople put their trust in nursing homes, believing they will take good care of their loved ones and prevent any injuries. Unfortunately, this trust is all too often misplaced. Approximately 90 percent of nursing homes are understaffed, resulting in an environment that is conducive to nursing home abuse and neglect.

Whether due to understaffing, lack of training, or other stressors, nursing home staff often mistreat residents. This mistreatment can include abuse and neglect, such as hitting, pushing and other physically abusive acts or neglecting to provide necessary care and treatment. Sad to say, an estimated 2.1 million seniors in the U.S. are victims of nursing home abuse or neglect each year.

If you suspect one of your family members has suffered from nursing home abuse or neglect, consulting with an experienced Florida nursing home abuse attorney can help you decide on the best way to help them. At Malik Law we pride ourselves on helping families understand their options and rights when dealing with nursing home abuse.
 

Understanding Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing home abuse can take many different forms, including physical, emotional, financial, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect. All of these types of abuse can lead to the patients’ injury and suffering. In many cases, these victims of elder abuse are unable to communicate, and the abuse goes unnoticed for a long time – sometimes too long to be able to help the patient recover.

Signs that a nursing home resident is suffering abuse or neglect should be noted and reported immediately. These signs include unexplained or frequently occurring bruises and cuts, dehydration, malnutrition, marks from restraints, bed sores and other skin conditions, continual sedation, and torn clothing. Changes in behavior, such as having a fearful demeanor, acting depressed or angry, engaging in self-harming actions, or frequent rocking, mumbling, or sucking behaviors can also be signs of abuse.
 

Florida Nursing Home Abuse Charges and Claims

If a caregiver or staff member at a nursing has abused patients, he or she could face civil and criminal penalties. Criminal penalties include possible prison time and fines, in addition to being barred from working in nursing homes.

A civil suit can also be brought against specific caregivers or the nursing home, depending on the details of the case. These nursing home abuse claims may be complex and difficult to prove, so getting help from an experienced Florida nursing home attorney is definitely recommended.

The team of experienced attorneys at Malik Law can help you hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions. We will work to obtain full and fair compensation for the medical treatment, physical therapy, and emotional therapy your family member needs because of the abuse, as well as compensation for your loved one’s pain and suffering.

Call us today at 407-500-1000 or submit the Free Case Evaluation form on our website so we can get started helping you.

 

Sources:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (30 Nov. 2018). CMS strengthens nursing home oversight and safety to ensure adequate staffing.
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Florida Health Care Association. (2017). Facts about long term care in Florida.
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“Report Elder Abuse.” Department of Elder Affairs. Department of Elder Affairs State of Florida, n.d. Web. 6 Jun 2014.
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