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Florida is home to roughly 700 nursing homes, plus the country’s fourth-largest population of nursing home residents. It is also, unfortunately, the site of many serious cases of nursing home abuse and neglect.
Instances of Florida nursing home abuse have surged in recent years. And since 2019, these incidents have nearly doubled compared to the six years prior. If you have a loved one in a Florida nursing home facility, it’s important to know the signs of nursing home abuse so that you can step in right away if something doesn’t seem right. This may include transferring your loved one to another facility as well as working with an elder rights attorney who can advocate for their rights, stop the abuse, and seek appropriate compensation.
Learn about the common signs of nursing home neglect and abuse below, and contact us for a free case review if you are concerned about how your loved one is being treated in a nursing facility.
Definition and Examples of Abuse and Neglect in Nursing Homes
When we talk about harm occurring in a nursing home, we are often referring to one of two things: abuse or neglect.
Nursing home abuse and neglect are in many ways two sides of the same troubled coin. But they are quite distinct, with the key difference being that abuse is deliberate actions meant to cause harm and neglect is failure to provide necessary care. Specific examples of abuse and neglect in nursing homes differ in scope as well. Abuse is active harm, such as hitting or verbal assaults. Neglect is passive harm, such as failing to provide enough food or take proper care of a resident’s hygiene.
When looking for signs of nursing home neglect or abuse, be sure to consider both active and passive types of harm. Keep in mind too that harm isn’t always physical. Mental, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse and neglect can and do occur in nursing homes, and each of these types of harm warrants an investigation by a qualified nursing home abuse attorney.
Common Signs of Nursing Home Neglect or Abuse
The more you know about what to look for when it comes to nursing home neglect and abuse, the quicker you’ll be able to intervene.
Signs of Physical Abuse
- Unexplained bruising, scars, welts, or burns
- Bone fractures
- Internal injuries or bleeding
- Open wounds or cuts
- Evidence of physical restraints, such as rope burns around the wrist
- Broken eyeglasses or frames
Signs of Emotional Abuse
- Witnessing caregivers yell, shame, mock, or otherwise demean the resident
- Threats of physical abuse
- Isolating individuals from loved ones and/or other residents
- Ignoring resident requests
- Moving or hiding resident possessions such as mobility aids
Signs of Sexual Abuse
- Unexplained sexually-transmitted infections
- Genital bruising and/or bleeding
- Torn or stained undergarments
Signs of Financial Abuse
- Uncharacteristic changes in resident spending behaviors
- Suspicious credit card activity, such as big purchases or new subscriptions
- Unexplained bank withdrawals
- Fear and anxiety around finances
Signs of Caregiver Neglect
- Unsanitary or unsafe living conditions
- Bed sores
- Malnutrition or dehydration
- Medication errors
- Unexplained weight loss
- Poor resident hygiene
- Unsuitable dressing, such as taking a resident outside in the cold without a coat
- Soiled clothes or bedding
What To Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse
The first thing you should do if you notice signs of abuse or neglect is to contact the nursing facility directly and discuss your concerns. You can also file a report with the Florida Department of Elder Affairs.
Making these complaints will kick off investigations into your claim and could help stop the abuse and punish the person responsible for it. From there, you should contact an attorney so that you can seek compensation for the damages your loved one has incurred.
Work with an Attorney Skilled in Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
If your loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse, we can help them get the justice they deserve.
Civil lawsuits against nursing homes can be filed by residents, a resident’s guardian, or by a person or organization acting on behalf of a resident and with their consent. Forms of compensation that victims may be eligible to receive include economic damages like medical bills and home healthcare services, non-economic damages like physical impairment and emotional suffering, and, in some cases, punitive damages. Our team has recovered more than a billion dollars in settlements and awards for Florida victims of nursing home abuse and other personal injury claims, and are available to review your case free of charge. Contact us for a free consultation and receive professional support from an experienced nursing home abuse attorney, including an overview of your legal options.
