Palm Beach County Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

When a loved one enters the care of a nursing home, they should be treated with dignity and respect. Nursing homes often do a wonderful job of caring for their residents, and families are given peace of mind knowing their loved ones are being served well. However, in some instances, our loved ones may face abuse from those we trust to care for them.

If you or a loved one suffered or is suffering from nursing home abuse, you should contact a Palm Beach County nursing home abuse lawyer. With the knowledge and experience of qualified personal injury attorney, nursing home residents and their families may be able to hold nursing homes, their management, or employees responsible for any injuries, pain, or suffering caused. En Español.

How Often Does Abuse and Neglect Happen?

A comprehensive review article published in the New England Journal of Medicine determined that approximately 10 percent of all nursing home residents experience some type of abuse, including physical abuse, psychological abuse, financial exploitation, verbal abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect. Palm Beach County has laws meant to protect nursing home residents and those who reside in assisted living facilities from all types of abuse and neglect. An empathetic Palm Beach County nursing home abuse lawyer can attempt to hold those who violate these laws accountable.

Knowing the Types of Nursing Home Abuse

Anyone in a nursing home or who has a loved one in a nursing home should be familiar with the types of nursing home abuse. It is important to note the types and signs of abuse in order to promptly address and resolve any issues.

The United States Government Accountability Office breaks elder abuse into the following categories:

• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Psychological abuse
• Financial exploitation

Nursing home residents who were abused may try to report abuse to their loved ones or others. However, it is important for people to look out for signs of abuse on their own as well since not all victims will speak up. Potential symptoms of abuse include a sudden withdrawal from community events, increased anxiety and apprehension, and depression.

Filing a Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit in Palm Beach County

Florida Statute Section 400.023(4) provides nursing home residents and their families with a means of filing a negligence lawsuit for nursing home abuse. Since nursing homes by definition owe a duty of care to every resident, these lawsuits require a person to prove the nursing home breached that duty to the resident, and that the resident sustained some injury or loss directly because of this breach.

Another section of the statutory code covering Palm Beach County nursing home abuse cases provides that individuals may recover damages for any losses they may have sustained. In addition, families who have lost a loved one due to nursing home abuse may recover damages for medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, and costs related to their family member’s death.

Stop Nursing Home Abuse in Palm Beach County

Anyone that a loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse should contact a Palm Beach County nursing home abuse lawyer who can help ensure that any allegation of nursing home abuse is thoroughly investigated and resolved. A nursing home abuse attorney could work to ensure that your loved one is properly cared for, and may help victims recover compensation for their injuries and losses.