Deerfield Beach Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
Our elders are oftentimes the most beloved and cherished members of our family, and when they require the care of a nursing home facility we trust those caregivers to provide the optimal support for our loved ones. However, some nursing home facilities violate that trust and abuse our family members in their care. The Deerfield Beach nursing home abuse lawyers at the Leifer & Ramirez are here to protect your loved ones and hold accountable the people and facilities that participate in nursing home abuse.
Common Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse can take many forms, and it’s important to know the signs of potential abuse. Nursing home abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, or financial and the signs are different for each type of abuse. Most often, the perpetrators of nursing home abuse are the administrators, doctors, nurses, aides, and other staff employed by the nursing home that are around your loved ones on a daily basis. You should immediately contact an attorney if you notice any of the following signs or injuries with your loved one:
- Injuries that are unexplained or denied
- Bruising, cuts, burns, pressure marks, or broken bones
- Flinching, cowering, or attempts to hide from certain staff
- Unexplained bank withdrawals
- Unusual changes in will or estate
- Behavioral changes
- Frequent crying or agitation
- Weight loss or malnutrition
- Poor hygiene
- Comments regarding withholding food, medication, therapy, or other necessities
- Untimely or unexplained death
Compensation for Nursing Home Abuse
Under Florida law, residents of nursing homes and other care facilities are guaranteed a basic set of rights, codified in Florida law. When their rights have been violated by nursing home abuse, they are entitled to compensation under medical malpractice law. The victim of nursing home abuse or their family in the case of an abusive death can collect compensation for economic and non-economic incurred as a result of the abuse. This includes payment for all medical bills, pain and suffering, emotional distress, disability or disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, and wrongful death.
In addition, victims of nursing home abuse may also be entitled to punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded as a punishment for particularly egregious behavior and meant to serve as a deterrent to other nursing home administrators or staff that would consider abusing a resident. These damages go above and beyond the typical economic and non-economic damages and are reserved for the worst cases of nursing home abuse.
Under Florida law, a lawsuit for nursing home abuse must be brought within two years of the date of the abuse or two years from the date that the abuse was or should have been discovered. However, it cannot be longer than four years from the date that the abuse occurred. The only exception is if the nursing home intentionally misrepresents or conceals the abuse, in which case an additional two years is allowed to file the suit.
Call Our Office Now
If you suspect that your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse, it is vitally important that you contact a nursing home abuse lawyer immediately. Call or contact Leifer & Ramirez in Deerfield Beach today to schedule a free consultation of your case.
