Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
Living in a nursing home is a fantastic option for many elderly people who need medical attention and help with daily activities. It takes the burden off of family members and ensures that the elderly person receives the care and attention they need.
In some cases, however, nursing home personnel and/or equipment may be the cause of injuries, illness and in worst cases, death of a loved one. Each year, approximately 5 million elderly people suffer abuse in nursing homes. Furthermore, it is estimated that only between 1 in 14 and 1 in 25 nursing home abuse cases are formally reported.
If you or a loved one has suffered from nursing home abuse, please do not stay silent. Report your case and contact The Law Offices of Gillis, Mermell & Pacheco, P.A. for help in receiving the compensation you and your family deserve for what you have suffered.
Common Abuses Suffered in a Nursing Home
Nursing home abuse can appear in many forms ranging from inadvertent neglect to outright physical or mental abuse. Even if the abuse suffered was unintentional, the nursing home and possibly its employees may be liable for the abuse.
A few common nursing home abuse examples include:
- Negligent personnel (which can lead to problems such as malnutrition, dehydration, or injuries from not being properly cleaned)
- Understaffing (which can then lead to negligent personnel because they are overworked)
- Improperly trained personnel
- Overmedication or medication errors
- Overuse of restraining devices in the case of aggressive residents
- Force-feeding
- Outright striking the residents
- Mental abuse (such as ridiculing, threatening, or manipulating the residents)
- Sexual abuse
- Financial abuse
Many elderly victims are ashamed or too afraid to tell their family members about the abuse they are suffering. Thus, it is important for family members to be on the lookout for signs of nursing home abuse. These include unexplained injuries, bedsores, fearful behavior or silence (particularly around a certain staff person), changes in mood, appetite, and other indicators.
Why Seek Damages for Nursing Home Abuse?
It is important to prosecute nursing home abuse cases for two reasons.
- To stop the abuse and receive damages for the emotional or physical injuries sustained.
- Prosecuting these cases discourages further abuse by making nursing homes and their staff more aware of behaviors that could lead to abuse and prevent them from happening to others in the future.
Why You Should Hire a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
Unfortunately, prosecuting nursing home abuse cases can be tricky. First of all, it can be difficult to determine if abuse has actually occurred. From there, it can also be complicated to determine who is at fault or liable for damages.
Nursing home abuse cases can be complex, as they often involve multiple liable parties that have a team of defending attorneys on their side. Self-representation for cases like this can lead to a loss of the lawsuit or being awarded far less than you and your family deserve. Hiring a qualified Miami nursing home abuse lawyer ensures that you and your family are well-represented and that you are awarded the maximum compensation value possible.
Contact the Best Miami Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Today
At The Law Offices of Gillis, Mermell & Pacheco, P.A., our attorneys are dedicated to helping elderly people and their loved ones receive compensation for abuses they have suffered and helping to discourage this type of behavior from happening in the future.
We believe the elderly deserve a place where they can live and be cared for appropriately during a vulnerable time in their life and are doing our part to help. Contact the attorneys at The Law Offices of Gillis, Mermell & Pacheco, P.A. to file your claim and take the first step toward compensation today.