Jacksonville Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

Common Signs of Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect

Sometimes the only way to know your loved one is being neglected or abused is to see the signs for them. There are several types of abuse that you should look for including physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, financial exploitation, and healthcare fraud. Each of these types has several signs that you should look for to be able to detect nursing home abuse.

Physical Abuse

• Unexplained injuries, such as bruises, cuts, burns, or fractures
• Recurring injuries, frequent hospital visits, or injuries in various stages of healing
• Signs of restraint, such as marks on wrists or ankles
• Refusal by staff to allow visitors or seeing the resident alone

Emotional or Psychological Abuse

• Unusual behavior, such as mood swings, agitation, or withdrawal
• Fearfulness or anxiety, especially around certain staff members
• Depression (e.g., crying or lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities)
• Isolation/being kept away from other residents or activities

Sexual Abuse

• Bruising around breasts or genitals
• Unexplained STDs or infections
• Torn, stained, or bloody underclothing
• Fearfulness or withdrawal from physical contact

Financial Abuse

• Unexplained withdrawals from bank accounts
• Missing personal belongings or valuables
• Unusual changes in financial documents or wills
• Sudden changes in spending patterns or financial habits

Neglect

• Poor personal hygiene, such as unwashed hair, body odor, dirty clothing
• Malnutrition or dehydration (e.g., weight loss, dry skin, or frequent thirst)
• Untreated medical conditions, such as bedsores or infections
• Unsanitary living conditions (e.g., soiled bedding, dirty living space, or pests)

Verbal Abuse

• Insults, threats, or yelling directed at the resident
• Humiliation or ridicule
• Sudden changes in behavior indicating fear of speaking up
• Reports from the resident about being mistreated or spoken to harshly

Social Abuse

• Isolation from family and friends
• Restricting access to community activities or social interactions
• Intimidation preventing the resident from speaking out
• Unwillingness to speak in the presence of certain staff members

Lastly, if there is healthcare fraud, look out for your loved one getting the wrong dosage of medications, not enough staff to care for them, or duplicate bills for one service. All of these things would warrant a call to a nursing home abuse lawyer in Jacksonville.

Step 1: Gather Evidence

Now that you know the signs of this neglect, the first step is to get evidence of it. 

That would include:

• Collecting medical records;
• Taking photos of obvious injuries; and
• Talking to the caregivers to get more information.

When you have this information and know that there is a chance they are being abused, your next step is to contact our experienced team of lawyers at Edwards & Ragatz to investigate the case thoroughly. 

Our Jacksonville nursing home abuse attorneys will be able to collect evidence and protect it from disappearing as well as uncover more evidence that you may not have been aware of. We will make sure your case is strong and that you are going to be ready to bring it to civil court.

Step 2: Call an Attorney

The statute of limitations is the amount of time in which you have to bring your claim to receive compensation for injuries and damages. In most instances, you will have two years from the day you discover or should have discovered the nursing home abuse to bring your claim. 

In rare circumstances, there may be extensions available to you to prolong your statute of limitations. However, if you are late bringing your claim, there is unfortunately nothing we can do to help you. Once you suspect abuse, you should not wait to call a lawyer because these cases take time.

Often, the liable party will be able to offer you a fast settlement offer to victims of nursing home abuse to try to get the case over quickly and with minimal impact to them financially. We urge you to consult with a lawyer before deciding to take any settlement offer. 

As your team of Jacksonville nursing home abuse lawyers, there are several things that we would be able to recover for you in terms of your damages and injuries when we pursue compensation from the facility your loved one was in.

This may include compensation for:

• Physical therapy
• Medical treatment
• Pain and suffering
• Change in living arrangements
• Punitive damages

Choosing a Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect Lawyer

You can report nursing home abuse in the state of Florida by contacting the Health Care Administration (HCA). They will likely take your statement and open an investigation. Before reporting nursing home abuse, we would advise you to call your lawyer first to ensure you are collecting all the sufficient evidence. 

In this video, Tom explains what to look for when selecting a nursing home abuse lawyer.

Schedule Your Free Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect Case Consultation

We’re looking forward to speaking with you regarding your potential nursing home abuse or neglect case and working towards the healing you or your loved one deserve. Unmatched compassion with record setting-results: that’s our promise.

Contact our nursing home abuse attorneys in Jacksonville, FL today by calling (904) 295-1050for your free consultation.