Sarasota Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

Examples of Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing home abuse can come in many forms, including, but not limited to, the following:

Physical Abuse – It’s common for the elderly to lose mobility and coordination. In addition, they tend to be more fragile. Both can make nursing home residents more prone to accidents and serious injuries. Even when considering these factors, changes to your loved one’s physical appearance may indicate physical abuse. Examples of physical abuse can include the following:

• Physical battery or other contact that may cause unexplained broken bones, dislocations, sprains, lacerations, scars, bruises or welts.
• Forceful restraining methods that leave symmetrical bruising or abrasions on wrists and legs.
• Using overmedication practices to restrain residents.
• Forced feedings.

Emotional Abuse – Because there are no physical indicators, emotional abuse may be the most difficult to identify and prove. Unexplained changes to your loved one’s emotional state, such as being sad, withdrawn, fearful or nervous, may be the sign of emotional abuse. Their reactions or changes in emotional state when different caregivers are present may also indicate emotional abuse. Any of the following would be considered emotional abuse:

• Threats of physical abuse or other intimidation methods.
• Frequent yelling, name calling or other ridicule.
• Purposely isolating patients.
• Forcing residents to perform demeaning activities.

Sexual Abuse – The perpetrators of sexual abuse against nursing home residents are not always staff members. There are documented cases of nursing home sexual abuse being carried out by other patients, visitors and even family members. Sexual abuse of nursing home residents can be difficult to identify and prove. In many cases, the victims are unable to remember the assault. They may suffer memory degrading conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s or were under sedation when the sexual assault occurred. In some cases, there are signs that may help identify sexual abuse. These can include:

• Undergarments that are torn or blood stained.
• Unexplained venereal diseases.
• Bleeding or bruising in the vaginal or anal areas.

Neglect – There are different types of nursing home neglect. Depending on the circumstances, there may be no physical signs and will be difficult to detect. It is important for family members to watch for subtle or drastic changes to their loved one’s physical condition and emotional state. Any of the following may indicate nursing home neglect:

• Basic Needs Neglect – This would include the lack of food or water, resulting in rapid weight loss, malnutrition or dehydration. It could also include nursing home staff failing to keep the resident’s environment clean and sanitary.
• Personal Hygiene Neglect – This is when staff members fail to aid residents with hygiene related tasks, such as bathing, brushing their teeth, laundry or soiled undergarments and bedding.
• Medical Neglect – Residents not receiving the medication they require or physical assistance they need, such as turning patients in their beds. This can lead to chronic infections or bed sores.
• Emotional Neglect – This form of neglect is often characterized by patients being repeatedly ignored or isolated by nursing home staff. This will often result in abnormal emotional behavior by the resident.

Financial Abuse – It’s not uncommon for nursing home staff to take advantage of a trusting or mentally incapacitated resident for financial gain. Some of the more common methods of financial abuse would include:

• Stealing a patient’s identity.
• Gaining access to a resident’s credit cards or bank accounts.
• Stealing cash, checks or other valuable items.
• Forging checks.
• Fake charity schemes.

Because nursing home abuse claims can be very complex, it takes the skill of experienced nursing home abuse lawyers to bring a claim against the liable parties. If you or a loved one has been abused in a nursing home, the law firm of Lutz, Bobo & Telfair, P.A. can review your claim and help you understand your legal rights.

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We believe that when you hire an attorney, you should be able to communicate directly with that attorney. At Lutz, Bobo & Telfair, P.A., you’re never treated like a number. We work hard to understand the specifics of your situation and to craft a compelling legal strategy to fight for the best outcome for you.