Since it is an area with a large elderly population, most Clermont residents know someone in a nursing home. Many relatives place their loved ones in a long-term care or skilled nursing facility when they can no longer care for themselves.
Tragically, many facilities do not provide quality care, and your loved one might suffer. A Clermont nursing home abuse lawyer could investigate the alleged mistreatment or neglect and hold a responsible party accountable. If you suspect your family member is being neglected or abused by nursing home staff, you could file a personal injury claim to recover financial compensation for their injuries.
Causes of Poor Nursing Home Care
Most nursing homes are for-profit businesses that try to save money by paying their staff inadequately. Facilities frequently have trouble finding qualified staff willing to work for low wages, so they continue to employ poorly trained workers. Often, these employees are overworked due to long shifts and might become lackadaisical when caring for patients.
Nursing home residents are especially vulnerable, making them more susceptible to abuse. For instance, older people may have a more difficult time expressing their experiences in a facility. In many cases, seniors cannot speak and may not have loved ones nearby to monitor their care.
An experienced attorney in Clermont could investigate a senior living facility to determine whether a resident’s injuries resulted from intentional abuse.
Responding to Nursing Home Mistreatment
Patients in care facilities are usually in poor or failing health. It is often challenging to determine whether a resident’s condition is due to the natural effects of disease and age or whether it is a result of improper care. Common signs that a senior is not receiving quality treatment include:
- Sudden changes in weight or mood
- Dehydration
- Frequent falls
- Bedsores
- Wandering off the premises unsupervised
- Unexplained injuries, including cuts or bruises
- New diagnosis of a sexually transmitted disease
Friends and family members who notice signs of nursing home mistreatment should speak with a facility administrator about their concerns. A relative could also report to the state’s licensing body – the Agency for Health Care Administration.
Contacting a knowledgeable lawyer in Clermont with experience in senior living abuse cases is crucial. A hardworking legal professional could contact the facility to express a person’s concerns. In many situations, a phone alone call can improve living conditions.
Seeking Compensation for Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse
If a resident suffered physical or emotional harm resulting from nursing home abuse or neglect, a family member could file a lawsuit seeking compensation on their behalf. Seniors or their relatives may receive reimbursement for medical expenses, therapy sessions, or relocation expenses.
A facility may also pay compensation for the resident’s intangible losses. For example, a nursing home could pay an older person for physical pain, emotional distress, inconvenience, embarrassment, disability, and the other significant impacts of the facility’s mistreatment.
Florida Statutes §768.72 allow an injured person to seek punitive damages if their injury resulted from intentional misconduct or negligence. Courts often award punitive damages to seniors. An attorney in Clermont could evaluate if egregious conduct by nursing home staff merits punitive damages.
Contact a Clermont Attorney About Nursing Home Abuse
If you believe someone you care about is suffering from neglect or abuse in a retirement home, you could intervene to stop the mistreatment. Whether the issue needs to be resolved through a lawsuit or phone call, a local legal professional could work diligently to improve conditions for a vulnerable retirement home resident.
Consult a Clermont nursing home abuse lawyer today to review your options and get started on your case.