Florida is home to many seniors who choose assisted living facilities, but sadly, they may not receive the care they deserve. Abuse in these settings can be physical, emotional, and financial.
An experienced Florida assisted living abuse lawyer, Like Call Hughes Law, knows how to identify the signs of nursing home abuse and provide invaluable legal advice and support.
Our attorneys understand the law and can help individuals hold negligent facilities accountable. Most importantly, we can protect vulnerable seniors from further abuse and ensure that justice is served for abuse victims.
Whether seeking remedies or bringing a claim on behalf of a loved one, an experienced legal team can be treasured. If you have discovered that your loved one has been a victim of this type of assisted living abuse in Florida, you'll want to act right away.
Whether the abuse is verbal, financial, physical, or emotional, holding the facility accountable is essential. Our attorneys can investigate and pursue claims against negligent assisted living facilities in Florida.
At Call Hughes Law, we know how difficult this time can be for victims and their families. We are dedicated to providing compassionate and practical legal advice and representation throughout the entire process.
Contact us today to learn how we can help you hold negligent facilities accountable for their actions. We will fight for your rights and give you the justice you deserve. Contact our team today for a free consultation to get started.
There are more than 39,000 Assisting Living centers in the United States, with most of them found in the Sunshine State. While many provide excellent care for their residents, unfortunately, not all facilities meet their standards of care.
Some may neglect or abuse their residents, leading to severe physical and emotional damage. Assisted living facilities are residential housing options that help with a person's daily needs.
These facilities offer independent living, with support services like meals, housekeeping, and other personal care. The main difference between a nursing home and an assisted living facility is that the assisted living facility provides only limited medical care.
In contrast, a nursing home can offer 24-hour skilled nursing care. Moreover, while nursing homes usually have sizeable communal dining halls and shared recreational rooms, assisted living facilities typically offer individual apartments or villas with private bedrooms.
Regardless of these examples, those requiring medical attention tend to find the best fit in a nursing home. However, an assisted living facility may be the perfect option for those seeking extra comfort and convenience or who don't need permanent medical attention but may require additional help.
If you have a loved one living in an assisted living facility, it's essential to be aware of the signs of neglect or abuse. These include:
You may find physical signs of neglect or abuse on your loved one's body. These can range from unexplained bruises, burns, or skin abrasions. Other physical symptoms include sudden weight loss or gain, bedsores, poor hygiene, and deteriorating health.
While it's common for elderly persons to experience some degree of physical frailty, these signs can be more pronounced when neglect or abuse is present.
A facility that is not properly taking care of its residents can often be recognized by unpleasant odors. These smells may indicate a need for proper hygiene and sanitation. If you notice bad smells or unsanitary conditions in the living area, this could be a sign that your loved one is being neglected.
Bedsores are a sign of neglect and often occur when a patient is not being moved regularly. Bedsores can be painful and challenging to heal, so it's essential to address the situation as soon as possible if they are present.
There may be a pattern of your loved one getting sick more frequently or suffering from infections or dehydration. This could indicate that the facility is not providing adequate care, and it's worth investigating further.
Someone experiencing stress or trauma may have a weakened immune system and become sick more often.
Lastly, if your loved one seems more withdrawn or upset than usual, this could signify something is wrong. This could be due to neglect or abuse, and it's worth further investigation if you suspect this may be the case. For instance, if your loved one seems uncomfortable when staff members are around or are consistently trying to avoid certain people at the facility.
If you suspect your loved one is experiencing neglect or abuse in an assisted living facility, it's essential to seek help immediately. You can contact Hughes Law specializing in elder abuse and neglect cases for advice on how to proceed.
Now that we've covered some of the warning signs of abuse, let's look at the different types of abuse that may occur in an assisted living center.
Neglect is one of assisted living centers' most common forms of abuse. This can range from a failure to provide basic needs such as food, water, and hygiene care, to more severe cases where someone is not receiving proper medical attention.
For example, if a person is not given their medications on time or receives inadequate medical care, this can be considered neglect.
There are also cases where a resident may undergo unnecessary medical procedures or treatments. This could include administering medications that are not necessary or performing other invasive treatments without the consent of the resident.
This abuse aims to receive financial compensation from insurance companies or government programs.
Unfortunately, there are also cases of sexual abuse in assisted living centers. This can range from inappropriate touching to more brutal acts such as rape or molestation.
It's important to know that no form of sexual abuse is ever acceptable, and it should be reported immediately if you suspect this may be happening.
Physiological abuse is another form of abuse that can occur in an assisted living facility. This abuse involves verbal or psychological acts such as threats, insults, and humiliation. It can be challenging to recognize this type of abuse because it's often not physical.
Financial exploitation is another form of abuse commonly found in assisted living centers. This can include taking money or other property without permission, misusing the resident's funds, and coercing them into signing documents that benefit someone else financially.
This type of abuse is unfortunately common and can be hard to detect.
Assisted living abuse is, unfortunately, a growing problem, and Florida is no exception. In the Sunshine State, residents of assisted living facilities often experience neglect and mistreatment from those responsible for their care.
Reports indicate that staff members may actively avoid helping residents when they ask for assistance, leaving them in potentially dangerous or uncomfortable situations that can take an emotional toll. Medication management can also be inadequate, leading to further health issues for disadvantaged people.
Far too many patients in these facilities are not receiving adequate care, making it incredibly important to ensure proper protocols and preventative measures to ensure resident safety, given the unique challenges presented with providing this type of service.
Holding a facility accountable for abusing its elderly residents can be intimidating and complex, but hiring a qualified Florida assisted living abuse lawyer can make the entire process much smoother.
An experienced lawyer will be able to guide you through the process of gathering documents, organizing evidence, and filing your case in court. With advice from an attorney knowledgeable on the laws governing elder abuse in Florida, you'll have the best chance of obtaining justice against any guilty facility.
Furthermore, having an attorney by your side will give you peace of mind that your claims are being reasonably pursued and taken seriously.
Be bold and seek help when it comes time to hold those responsible for caretaker negligence accountable - expert legal aid might be needed to see justice done.
Call Our Florida Assisted Living Abuse Lawyers Today
If you've noticed any signs of abuse or neglect in an assisted living facility, it's essential to take action immediately. An experienced Florida assisted living abuse lawyer can help you seek justice for your loved one and ensure that the guilty facility is held accountable.
Our team at Hughes Law is always available to answer your questions and provide the knowledgeable legal representation you need in your time of need. Let us fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation!
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