Many people require extra assistance for day to day activities from trained professionals as they grow older. It is because of this that they may need to stay in a nursing home. These individuals are tasked with the job of taking care of others by ensuring that they are healthy and living in a safe environment. If they do not fulfill this obligation and are negligent or abusive when treating patients, it can cause patients severe suffering as a result.
When a person puts their trust in a nursing home to care for their loved one, it can be their worst nightmare to realize they are experiencing abuse in the home. There are a variety of actions that can be considered negligence or abuse, which is why it is crucial to stay alert and pay attention to any signs that may be displayed by your loved one. If you believe a family member or close friend is being neglected or abused in their nursing home, it is important to take action. This can be done by contacting an experienced Florida personal injury attorney for assistance.
How Can I Detect Negligence?
When an elderly individual suffers from negligence or abuse in the nursing home, there can be many different signs that should be looked out for. This can include cuts and bruises, broken bones, malnourishment, infections, and much more. While this is true, it is important to remember that not all signs of abuse are physical. For example, other signs of negligence or abuse can include stolen possessions, verbal abuse, harassment, undetected sexual abuse, and more.
How Can I Prove Nursing Home Abuse?
After noticing signs of neglect or abuse to a loved one in a nursing home, a serious investigation into the matter should occur. This can be an emotional time in a person’s life, which is why it is important to retain the services of an experienced attorney who can assist in fighting for the loved one’s rights. This can be done by pursuing legal action in which the injured party is subject to the burden of proof. The burden of proof requires proof that negligent behavior took place. With the help of an attorney, evidence can be gathered in order to satisfy this. Helpful evidence that can be used in court can include photos or videos of the living conditions, bruises, bedsores, or poor behavior from the staff. In addition to this, a paper trail that shows complaints were filed must be present. In the event of an emergency situation, law enforcement should be notified immediately.
When a person wishes to pursue legal action for nursing home abuse, it is important to know that there is a limited window to do so. In some cases, this may be as short as two years from the date of recognizing the negligence.
Contact our Firm
To discuss your case with our experienced Panama City personal injury attorneys, contact Manuel & Thompson, P.A. today for your free consultation.
