Nursing Home Abuse

West Palm Beach Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Every day, hundreds of elderly men and women are admitted into nursing homes for long term care. A large part of this population is entirely dependent upon the staff of the nursing home for their basic daily needs. In some instances, residents are childlike in their needs and are unable to care for themselves or report neglect. Although there are many programs in place to monitor nursing home care, many residents are denied dignified care and an increasing number are subjected to neglect and abuse. Nursing home residents depend on family and loved ones to report violations of resident’s rights to reasonable care and treatment.

The state of Florida has particular statutes that are designed to protect nursing home residents. The essential rights are clearly defined and stated. Residents have the right to be free from mental and physical abuse. They have right to receive adequate medical care and treatment, rehabilitative care, privacy and dignity, and sound medical decisions. While they are under the care of the nursing home, their property is protected as well, including financial accounts.

Many nursing homes or long term care facilities strive to protect and care for the elderly residents. However, an alarming number of facilities are allowing harmful business decisions to create an impersonal atmosphere which endangers the lives of the residents. Care for elderly patients requires an understanding of the particular needs of individual residents and a meticulous comprehension of scheduled meals, medications, treatments, therapies, baths, exercises, social activities and particular cognitive or mental needs.

Some forms of abuse or neglect, such as bruising and fractures, are easy to detect but other forms such as failure to administer medications, failure to ensure proper nutrition, failure to monitor residents for bedsores, and failure to listen to residents’ needs are more difficult to detect but the effects or consequences can be devastating and, in some cases, deadly.

When a nursing home fails to provide reasonable care and treatment in a dignified manner, regardless of the reason, the failure needs to be reported immediately to the proper state agencies such as the Florida Department of Health and the Department of Elder Affairs.

It is important to understand that if the treatment or lack of care injures the resident or diminishes the resident’s quality of life, the nursing homes may be held liable under Florida law.

If you suspect someone is receiving substandard care or treatment at a nursing home, call Personal Injury of Florida and make an appointment to meet with a partner who will personally review the issue and circumstances with you. At Personal Injury of Florida, we consider every opportunity to help others a privilege and there is never a charge for meeting with our attorneys.