Bradenton Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
Sadly, not all nursing homes and assisted living facilities provide the care, compassion, and attention that their pamphlet material claims. As our loved ones age, we only want the best comforts for them, which is why it is so hard to find out that the people that we entrusted to care for them do not always have their best interests at heart. If you suspect that a nursing home or assisted living facility has abused or neglected someone close to you, do not wait a moment longer to end the situation and seek financial compensation on their behalf. Call the experienced, compassionate Bradenton nursing home abuse lawyers of the Pendas Law Firm today.
What Constitutes Abuse in Florida?
According to Florida statute 825.102, elder abuse is the “Intentional infliction of physical or psychological injury upon an elderly person or disabled adult.” While the overwhelming majority of nursing home staff are kind, caring people, the fact that there are so many nursing homes and assisted living facilities within Florida means that there are bound to be more than a few bad apples. In fact, according to the National Council on Aging, one in five Americans aged 60 or more has experienced elder abuse or neglect, and only one in 14 cases are ever reported. Abuse consists of four types: physical abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, sexual abuse, and financial abuse.
Physical abuse can consist of: Hitting, punching, pushing or shoving, slapping, pinching, grabbing, spitting at, striking with an object, or harming in any intentional manner.
Emotional or psychological abuse consists of: Yelling, belittling, speaking to or treating the older person as if they were a child, making fun of, taunting, locking them in their room, refusing the older person the right to have visitors or make decisions for themselves, or any other intimidation.
Sexual abuse consists of: Any unwanted genital contact, intercourse, groping, pinching, or any other unwanted physical contact or verbal suggestions.
Financial abuse consists of: stealing from the older person, coercion into changing a will or to give the staff monetary gifts, and any type of fraud.
What is Neglect and How Does it Affect Senior Citizens?
Neglect can be just as dangerous and damaging as abuse. Neglect occurs when staff fail to attend to the needs of the older person, and common signs of neglect include:
- Bed sores;
- Malnourishment or rapid and unexplained weight loss;
- Unexplained weight gain;
- Dehydration;
- Dementia;
- Mismanaged medication;
- Dirty clothes, room, bedding, or disheveled appearance; and
- Lack of activity and willingness to go out in public or see visitors.
Contact a Bradenton Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer with the Pendas Law Firm Today
The Pendas Law Firm is here to assist you in every way that we can to put the abuse and neglect of you older loved one to an end. No one should ever be forced to live with people who mistreat or ignore them. Older people, especially, deserve extra care and respect. Call one of our Bradenton nursing home abuse lawyers today to make this situation right.
