WELLINGTON NURSING HOME NEGLECT
WELLINGTON NURSING HOME NEGLECT LAWYER
Florida has the largest population of residents over the age of 60 in the nation. The number of elders is only expected to rise due to the Baby Boom and longer life expectancies. As a person ages, they often need regular care, and family members are not always able to provide it. Making the decision to place a loved one into a nursing home is a difficult but sometimes necessary one.
You hope your loved one will be properly cared for, but too often there are reports of nursing home abuse and neglect in the news. It is important to know the signs of abuse and neglect in these facilities, and how to report it if it occurs. If you suspect your loved one was hurt, you should also speak to a Wellington nursing home neglect lawyer.
Florida’s Nursing Home Residents’ Bill of Rights
Being admitted into a nursing home facility does limit a person’s lifestyle and the amount of privacy they can expect. Still, all residents of nursing homes should expect compassionate and high quality care in a dignified setting. Residents of nursing homes do not only retain their civil and humanitarian rights when they enter a nursing facility, but they are also protected under Florida’s Nursing Home Residents’ Bill of Rights. Under this state law, all nursing home residents have the right to:
- Be free from abuse, mistreatment, and neglect
- Be free from physical restraints
- Privacy
- Accommodation for medical, physical, psychological, and social needs
- Participate in resident and family groups
- Be treated with dignity
- Exercise self-determination
The above rights are just a few guaranteed to Florida’s nursing home residents. Any time these rights are violated, family members of the nursing home residents should speak to a Wellington nursing home neglect lawyer that can help them claim damages.
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
It is critical that anyone with a loved one in a nursing home recognizes the signs of nursing home abuse and neglect so they can stop it from happening. The most common signs are as follows:
- Dehydration
- Malnutrition
- Bed sores
- Unexplained weight loss
- Poor personal hygiene
- Infections
- Inability to eat
- Falls or broken bones that are unexplained
- Regular bruising or deep bruises
- Medication errors
- Restraint marks on the ankles or wrists
If you notice your loved one shows any of these signs of abuse, it is important to know how to report it.
How to Report Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse
Nursing home residents, relatives of residents, facility staff, legal representatives, and even friends of residents can report nursing home neglect and abuse. A complaint may involve the facility, its staff members, another resident, or anyone else that puts the health and safety of a nursing home resident in danger. To file a complaint, contact Florida’s long-term ombudsman. You should always also contact a Wellington nursing home neglect lawyer, as they can advise on other agencies you may report the abuse to.
Our Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers in Wellington Can Help Your Family
If your loved one has been harmed while in a nursing facility, our Wellington nursing home neglect lawyers can help. At Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith, our knowledgeable attorneys can help you stop the abuse, and file a claim against the facility for damages. Call us today at 561-472-8165 or contact us online to schedule a free case review.
