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Wheelchairs in the hospital Empty wheelchair stand near window at hospital

Panama City Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys

Making the decision to place a loved one in a nursing home is never an easy one, even though it is necessary when they need around-the-clock care. We trust that these nursing care facilities will treat our loved ones with dignity and respect, as well as provide the care they need. However, nursing homes are sometimes abusive towards their residents, resulting in serious harm. If your loved one has been abused or neglected by their nursing home, contact the skilled nursing home abuse attorneys at Manuel & Thompson today to schedule a consultation.

Florida Nursing Home Laws

As the U.S. population ages, more families are faced with the difficult decision of placing their loved ones in a nursing home. However, finding the right home is oftentimes difficult, and once the decision is made, how do you truly know if they are taking good care of your loved one? Fortunately, Florida law outlines specific Resident’s Rights. Federal law also regulates how nursing homes operate under Title 42 C.F.R. Part 483. The following signs may indicate nursing home abuse:

  • Significant weight loss
  • Dehydration
  • Unexplained falls
  • Bedsores
  • Poor hygiene care
  • Repeated or unyielding infections
  • Unexplained and unreported cuts and bruises
  • Physical and emotional abuse

Assessing Cases of Nursing Home Abuse

The nursing home abuse lawyers at Manuel & Thompson have helped families investigate possible abuse of their loved ones. The evaluation process involves our lawyers obtaining and reviewing nursing home records and any other pertinent records, as well as interviewing staff nurses and appropriate experts in the field. However, you should note that you have a limited amount of time to file a claim arising from nursing home abuse, and in some cases, the time period may be as short as two years from the date of admission. It is important you contact an experienced attorney as soon as you suspect something may be wrong. Don’t wait. Contact us today for a review of your case.

Proving Nursing Home Negligence

When an individual believes that their family member is being neglected in a nursing care facility, they must begin gathering evidence as soon as possible. Those who wish to bring legal action are subject to the burden of proof, which simply means that they are required by law to prove to the court that there was, in fact, negligent behavior. Some of the ways that a person can collect evidence of abuse and/or neglect in a nursing care facility include taking photos and videos of poor living conditions, bruises, bedsores, and poor behavior of staff. Additionally, those who wish to take legal action must create a paper trail that indicates they have filed complaints about the conditions with the appropriate parties. If there is an emergency situation, it may be necessary to report the neglect or abuse to law enforcement. They may ensure your loved one is safe for the time being, as well as write a report documenting the incident of abuse.

Contact Our Florida Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys

If your loved one has been the victim of abuse or neglect in a nursing care facility, you must consider your legal options. Manuel & Thompson has the skill and experience necessary to hold nursing homes accountable for their actions on behalf of your loved one. For quality legal representation when it matters most, contact the Panama City nursing home abuse attorneys at Manuel & Thompson today to discuss your case.