Oldsmar Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
Although deciding to place the care of our loved ones into the hands of the professionals employed by nursing homes is often difficult, the reality is that doing so is often the best way to ensure that an elderly relative receives the care that he or she needs. Unfortunately, some nursing home administrators and employees betray the trust of residents and their loved ones by failing to provide adequate care. This type of conduct can have devastating consequences on the health and well-being of residents, making it especially important for those who have been wronged by nursing home staff, to consult with an experienced Oldsmar nursing home abuse lawyer about seeking compensation for their relative’s losses.
Types of Elder Abuse
There are five main types of elder abuse, in which a nursing home could be engaged, including:
- Physical abuse, which includes causing physical harm to a resident through hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, burning, or otherwise causing physical injury;
- Financial abuse, which often takes the form of stealing monetary funds from an elderly person’s account, depriving a resident of valuable physical property, taking and using a credit card without permission, or forcing a resident to modify his or her estate plan;
- Sexual abuse, which includes, but is not limited to, harassment and any unwanted sexual interactions;
- Neglect, which occurs when a nursing home fails to meet a resident’s physical needs by refusing to provide water, food, clothing, shelter, hygienic living conditions, and medical care; and
- Emotional or psychological abuse, which can take a number of different forms, but is primarily characterized by acts of humiliation, destroying personal property, or isolating or verbally abusing a resident.
If you believe that an elderly loved one is being abused at a nursing home in which he or she resides and have already contacted authorities, you should speak with an attorney about helping your relative obtain compensation for the violation of his or her rights.
Signs of Elder Abuse
It isn’t always easy to recognize the signs of nursing home abuse when they occur, a problem that is only worsened by the fact that many abused residents are too afraid, humiliated, or ill to disclose the abuse to loved ones. There are, however, certain signs that individuals can keep an eye out for that are often indicative of abuse, including:
- Unexplained physical injuries, including cuts, bruises, fractures, sprains, and abrasions;
- Unexplained weight loss, dry skin, and paleness, which could be evidence of malnutrition;
- Evidence of a sexually transmitted disease;
- Untreated bed sores;
- Torn clothing;
- Poor personal hygiene;
- Incontinence; and
- Marks indicating the use of restraints.
Signs of physical abuse are not the only things that those with loved ones in long-term care facilities should remain aware of. Instead, family members should also pay close attention to any evidence of neglect, which could include everything from soiled bedding and medication mistakes to unexplained personality changes and fear of physical contact.
When an injured party, or his or her family members, can provide evidence of an injury resulting from a nursing home’s negligence, that individual could be entitled to compensation for physical injuries, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
Get Legal Help Today
If you believe that a loved one is being abused and have already contacted authorities, please call the experienced Oldsmar nursing home abuse lawyers at Pawlowski // Mastrilli Law Group to learn more about your legal options.
