There is no greater shame than when our elderly are injured, or even killed, by abuse and neglect in an assisted living facility or nursing home. You entrust your loved ones to the care of facilities that cut corners in order to save money. At the Law Office of Steve Watrel, P.A. we have represented residents and their families in numerous cases of Nursing Home Abuse and Nursing Home Neglect. We fight hard when it comes to your loved ones.
What Is Nursing Home Abuse?
Nursing home abuse is the mistreatment of elderly adults living in assisted living facilities. There are several types of abuse, including:
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Financial abuse
- Neglect
All types of abuse can have severe and long-term effects on elderly loved ones. Unfortunately, abusers often victimize vulnerable adults. This fact puts nursing home residents at risk, particularly females and those with memory problems such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. Family members of those living in nursing homes should be aware of the signs of abuse so that they can stop mistreatment before it worsens.
What Are The Signs of Nursing Home Abuse?
Nursing Home Abuse is not always reported. Learn to look out for the signs to protect your loved ones:
- Untimely or unexplained death
- Unexpected falls
- Head injuries, Broken Bones or Sprains
- Bruises or Burns
- Cuts or Abrasions
- Bedsores or skin breakdown
These signs can sometimes imply abuse by nursing staff and can be caused by:
Unnecessary Use of Restraints
There are two kinds of restraints: physical and chemical. Physical restraints prevent a person from moving by tying them to a fixed object. Chemical restraints are drugs intended to control a person’s behavior. The use of restraints must be medically necessary and ordered by a physician. The authorization also must clarify why a restraint is being used, for how long, and in what manner it will be used. The use of a restraint for staff convenience is against the law. unfortunately, many nursing homes will use restraints, violating state and federal law.
Understaffing
Nursing assistants provide most of the hands-on caregiving in nursing homes. Find out how many nursing assistants there are on each shift and compare that to the number of residents they are responsible for. If the ratio is more than 9 residents per assistant, make sure you visit to see if the resident’s needs are being met. Even if the ratio is less than 9 residents per assistant, check to see if the assistants can handle the workload, especially if there are many high maintenance residents at the facility.
Inadequate Screening and Training
Nursing assistants have been responsible for a great deal of the abuse in nursing homes. Much of which is the result of inadequate screening and training. Elderly residents are susceptible to abuse. This requires nursing homes to screen their staff and train them in the proper handling of residents.
If you or someone you know has suffered an injury, or worse, at a nursing home and needs a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer, contact us today to set up a free consultation. There is no obligation.
We Know Nursing Home Abuse
What makes Steve Watrel different is that he is truly dedicated to fighting against nursing home abuse. Over the past 30 years, he has dedicated his career to preventing nursing home abuse, restoring the rights of elders, and fighting those who betray them.
Nursing home abuse cases are complicated and require a very specific set of skills and knowledge. There is a difference between an attorney saying they can handle a nursing home abuse case and a true, knowledgeable nursing home abuse lawyer.
Steve Watrel understands and has experience with all facets of nursing home abuse, including:
- The different types of nursing home abuse
- Signs of nursing home abuse
- A variety of nursing home abuse injuries
- Causes of nursing home abuse
We have the legal knowledge and financial resources needed to pursue your case and take it as far as it needs to go to achieve justice for your family.
Your Dedicated Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
We are committed to fighting nursing home chains and ending nursing home abuse. You’ll never be just another case number to us. Nursing home residents deserve respect and recognition as individuals with the same rights as everyone else.
When you work with us, you can expect to:
- Be heard and respected.
- Receive personalized attention.
- Work directly with Steve Watrel.
- Be kept informed every step of the way.
- Get the justice your family deserves.
Enough about us; it’s time to talk about you. We’d love to learn about your specific situation and how we might be able to help. Please contact us for a free, no obligation, case consultation.
Call 1-800-792-8735 or contact us online and we’ll contact you as soon as possible.
Nursing Home Resource Links
- Agency for Health Care Administration
- American Medical Association
- Journals of the American Medical Association (AMA)
- License information on health care providers in Florida
- Malpractice Search of Florida Health Providers
- The Florida Institute For Neurologic Rehabilitation
- University of Georgia’s Journal Locator