Nursing Home Abuse

The Central Florida Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers at Dean Burnetti Law provide professional Nursing Home Abuse, Nursing Home Negligence, and Nursing Home Injury Attorney Legal Services in Polk County, including: Lakeland, Auburndale, Bartow, Haines City, Lake Wales, Mulberry, Polk City, and Winter Haven; in Hillsborough County, including: Brandon, Tampa, Riverview, Valrico, and Plant City; in Pinellas County, including: Clearwater, St. Pete, Gulfport, Treasure Island, Largo, Oldsmar, Treasure Island; as well as in all of the surrounding Greater Central Florida Areas.

Oftentimes, a family member who lives at a nursing home shows signs of mental or physical deterioration.  The family starts to investigate and concludes that some form of physical abuse has taken place.  However, more often than physical abuse, physical neglect may be to blame.  While neglect is a form of abuse, physical abuse implies more of an intent to do harm.

There are times that nursing home staff are guilty of abusing residents.  (In these cases, the nursing home may be guilty of neglecting to appropriately screen its staff members.)

But in many cases, other residents, vendors, or visitors are guilty of abusing residents.  (In these cases, the nursing home may be guilty of neglecting to pay attention to what is happening when outsiders are wandering the halls.)

Physical abuse of the elderly may be intentional such as a caregiver slapping, pinching, or scratching them, or (illegally) using restraints on them which can cause bruising. But it can also involve a caregiver being unaware of residents abusing each other.

Indicators* of physical abuse in a nursing facility may include:

• Traumatic hair loss
• Fractured or broken bones
• Dislocated joints
• Sprains
• Cracked, broken, or lost teeth
• Bruises, especially hand-shaped “wrap-around” contusions or those in the shape of restraints or straps
• Welts
• Bed sores
• Unexplained weight loss
• Changes in mental status
• Mental deterioration
• Withdrawal from visitors

*While not all patients who suffer from these signs are the victims of abuse, any of these signs should be taken as a red flag for loved ones to investigate further.

However...

Every black-and-blue mark is not necessarily a sign of abuse. As people age, their skin becomes thinner and more fragile and certain medications make them more likely to bruise easily.   However, some contusions should not be ignored. Look for a hand or fingertip shaped bruises around the wrists or upper arms. Also, any handprint-shaped marks on any body part are unlikely to be caused by an accidental fall and should be questioned.

Sometimes, bedsores are unavoidable, especially as a resident becomes sicker and more immobile. However, if the resident is capable of being up and is developing bed sores, it’s important to question why he’s spending so much time in the same position. Even if the resident is confined to a bed, they need to be rotated every hour or two, and these rotations should be marked on the resident’s medical chart.

Besides physical abuse in nursing facilities, other types of abuse common to nursing homes can be neglect, financial abuse or exploitation, and sexual abuse.

If you were injured or if a loved one was killed by Medical Negligence, you have the right to a qualified attorney who is skilled in Florida's complex malpractice law and is knowledgeable about your type of injuries. Call (863) 287-6388 in Polk County or (813) 287-6388 in Hillsborough County or Pinellas County today to schedule a free confidential consultation with an experienced Medical Negligence lawyer at Dean Burnetti Law.