Nursing homes in Florida should be some of the safest places for the elderly to go and be cared for. While many nursing homes are safe places for elderly people to reside and be cared for, this is not always the case at some nursing homes. Unfortunately, physical abuse and other types of nursing-home abuse occurs at some nursing home facilities.
Sadly, physical abuse is one of the most common forms of nursing home abuse and it happens frequently – more than most people would like to imagine. Obvious physical abuse signs include cuts, bruises, broken bones, and unexplained injuries.
What to Do about Suspected Nursing Home Abuse in Florida
- Check for previous violations – reports of abuse or violations can show if there have been previous complaints against the nursing home involved. Look up the Florida Nursing Home Watch List to look for the suspected nursing home here. Even if there aren’t any complaints, it doesn’t mean that abuse isn’t happening to your loved one.
- Document the abuse – take pictures of your loved one’s bruises, open wounds, rope marks, or other visible concerns that may be signs of physical abuse.
- Complete a formal statement – write down the name and age of the victim, the nursing home involved, the location of the nursing home, a description of what took place and when you believe the physical assault occurred.
- Report the incident – if a serious or life-threatening assault has occurred, report it to the police and make sure your loved one is treated for his or her injuries by a hospital.
- Talk with a lawyer – a lawyer will know what steps to take, where you should report your concerns of abuse to, if criminal charges should be filed, and what you and your family are entitled to in civil damages.
- Report your concerns – with help from an attorney, you can report your Sarasota nursing home complaint to the nursing home administrator, Florida Department of Elder Affairs, Florida Department of Health, Florida’s Adult Protective Services Department, National Center on Elder Abuse, and other agencies.
- Remove your loved one as soon as possible – if you have a significant reason to believe your loved one is being abused.
If you suspect your loved one is being abused at a nursing home, call Mallard Perez so that you can make sure you are doing everything right and taking the appropriate steps to make sure that the wrongdoers are brought to justice and that no one else has to suffer from their abusive actions.
Call one of our experienced Sarasota elder abuse lawyers today at (941) 952-1682 and receive a free case consultation and a free copy of our book, The Florida Nursing Home Abuse Handbook: Ways to Recognize & Prevent Abuse and Neglect.
