Boca Raton Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

When we entrust the care of our loved ones to nursing homes, we are entering into a contract with the caregivers at these assisted living facilities. In exchange for monetary support, these caregivers are to provide assistance to our elderly family members to ensure that they can lead full, healthy lives.

Unfortunately, this contract is broken all too often. Understaffed homes with inadequately trained personnel are tragically common in America, and these locations are hotbeds for elder abuse.

If you or a loved one have been subjected to abuse in an assisted living facility or nursing home, you don’t have to accept that injustice. Dyson Law, PLLC is home to some of the most experienced, compassionate personal injury lawyers in South Florida. If you are looking for aggressive representation to get the justice you deserve,  look no further than Dyson Law.

Defining Elder Abuse and Neglect

Abuse is a form of repeated mistreatment towards a vulnerable individual or individuals. Anyone can be abused, regardless of age, race, gender, or financial status. However, the more vulnerable an individual is—whether it be emotionally, physically, or financially—the more likely they are to be a victim of abuse.

Elders in nursing homes are vulnerable to abuse, as they are at the mercy of their caregivers, and are often isolated in the nursing home environment. Elder abuse includes physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and financial abuse.

Examples of physical abuse include punching, slapping, kicking, and hair-pulling. Any kind of intentionally inflicted bodily harm can be classified as physical abuse. Damaging a person’s property, especially in front of them or by throwing it at them, is also a form of physical abuse.

The conversation around sexual abuse often revolves around sexual assault, but there are other forms of sexual abuse that you may be less aware of. Flashing, forcing someone to watch pornography, and taking photos or videos of a person in a compromising position without their consent are all examples of sexual abuse.

Emotional abuse includes overprotection, gaslighting, name-calling, isolation, and guilt-tripping. Emotional abuse can be more difficult to identify, as it is compounded over time, and often hidden by the abuser.

Financial abuse is defined as controlling the victim’s ability to acquire, use, and save monetary resources. Finances may be restricted, or the victim may lose access completely to their money.

Neglect is when care needs are not met, such as food, water, shelter, hygiene, and healthcare. While any of these situations can turn dangerous for your loved one, a lack of care can have dangerous consequences, from the development of bedsores to death from a lack of medication. 

What Can I Do to Stop Nursing Home Abuse? 

When you find out a loved one may be facing nursing home abuse while in a long-term care facility is devastating. But what can you do to protect your family member from experiencing further abuse? 

First, report the evidence you have of nursing home abuse to the appropriate authorities. They can assess the situation and help you remove your loved one from that situation. They can also take action against the nursing home to help others relocate to safety. 

After that, speak with a lawyer about relocating your loved one to get the care they need and prepare for a lawsuit. Your lawyer has the tools you need to gather evidence, prove liability, and take action. 

Damages for a Nursing Home Abuse Claim 

When a loved one has been injured by abusive nursing home staff, your family may be due compensation for the damages suffered by your loved one. These damages can be difficult to calculate, so talk to your lawyer about what your claim is worth. 

If your loved one has been hurt by nursing home staff, reach out to your lawyer about any of these damages, among others: 

• Current and future medical expenses 
• Pain and suffering 
• Emotional distress 
• Costs of household care, or in-home nurse visits
• Transportation costs 

Speak with a Boca Raton Nursing Home Abuse Attorney 

If you suspect or have become aware of elder abuse in your community, speak up. If your loved one has suffered from any of the above forms of mistreatment in an assisted living facility, they are likely not the only one. Get the compensation you need to provide a better living situation for your family member and get the justice that this vulnerable group of people deserves.

Don’t allow elder abuse to continue in nursing homes in Boca Raton. Call Dyson Law, PLLC at 561-498-9979 or complete the following online contact form to learn more, starting with a free consultation. We’ll guide you through the process of keeping your loved one safe. Your Boca Raton nursing home abuse lawyer is ready to speak with you.