Switch to ADA Accessible Theme
Close Menu
Tampa Criminal Defense Lawyer
FREE Consultations Available
813-217-5715
TAMPA
Tampa Criminal Defense Lawyers > Blog > Nursing Home Abuse > Five Kinds of Nursing Home Abuse

Five Kinds of Nursing Home Abuse

NursingHome

According to some estimates, about half of nursing home patients experience some form of abuse. Yet the vast majority of these instances are unreported. Many times, the victims fear reprisals from their abusers. Other times, the victims are not fully aware of the abuse that surrounds them.

Typically, the nursing home is legally responsible for damages in these cases. Common theories include negligent hiring and negligent supervision. Negligent hiring usually involves the knowing employment of an incompetent person or a failure to ask the right questions during the interview. Negligent supervision usually involves a failure to identify wrongful conduct on the job and/or a failure to take corrective action.

Staff on Resident Abuse

Many nursing home residents are physically frail. A tiny amount of force is sufficient to cause serious injuries, like deep bruises or broken bones. Moreover, many elderly victims heal very slowly once they are injured. And, they must usually relocate to another facility. As a result, the economic losses can be substantial. A personal injury attorney can obtain compensation for all these losses. Furthermore, attorneys are also experienced negotiators. So, they can usually lower provider fees. That means victims pocket more of their settlement money.

Financial Abuse

As mentioned, many older people are easily swayed or cajoled. So, this umbrella term covers a wide range of activities, including:

  • Forced signatures on financial documents,
  • Outright theft, and
  • Elaborate financial schemes.

Financial abuse is normally associated with private caregivers, although financial abuse can occur in nursing home settings as well. In either place, the above described legal theories apply.

Sexual Abuse

Many nursing homes are quite crowded and patients have little privacy. So, sexual abuse is all too frequent. Some common instances include:

  • Forcing sexual contact,
  • Compelling residents to watch pornography,
  • Making sexual remarks, and
  • Forcing residents to witness sex acts.

Sexual abuse often leaves both physical and emotional evidence. If your loved one has torn clothes or unusual injuries, they could be evidence of sexual abuse. The same could be true if your loved one behaves strangely or is afraid of certain caregivers.

Emotional Abuse

That old “sticks and stones” line is clearly not true. Emotional abuse hurts just as much as physical abuse. Some caregivers say hurtful things, like “no one wants you.” Other caregivers place residents in isolation because there is a lack of supervision or as a form of punishment. Emotional wounds cause significant noneconomic losses, like emotional distress and loss of enjoyment in life. Compensation may be available for these damages as well.

Resident on Resident Abuse

This problem is one of the fastest-growing ones in the nursing home abuse area. Typically, the problem begins with a small disagreement. That could be a conflict over a preferred sofa in the common area or an aimless wandering into another person’s room. If staff members do not quickly diffuse these conflicts, they often end violently. Since many residents have pre-existing medical conditions, the resulting injuries could be quite serious. Usually, full compensation is available in these cases.

Contact Aggressive Lawyers

If your loved one is in a nursing home, your loved one has probably been abused. For a free confidential consultation with an experienced nursing home attorney in Tampa, contact The Matassini Law Firm, P.A. We do not charge upfront legal fees in negligence cases.

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

The experience you need in your pursuit of justice

The greatest distinguishing feature among attorneys is their level of experience. Our firm has more than 60 years of legal experience, much of it spent in the courtroom at trial. As a result, our Tampa criminal defense lawyers rarely encounter an unfamiliar situation and can thoroughly answer your urgent questions. Our criminal defense practice features a board certified criminal trial lawyer and two former prosecutors with impressive knowledge of trial tactics and procedures.

The resources to provide quality representation for the length of your case

Whether your case involves a crime or injury, your attorney must be prepared to take the case all the way through trial to verdict. Many defense attorneys advance the cost of litigation, so they can only last so long before financial pressures start to mount. As a client, you have to wonder whether an attorney's advice to settle your case reflects the quality of the offer or their need to get paid. Fortunately, The Matassini Law Firm has the resources to pursue civil verdicts and settlements that reflect the actual value of your case.

Call our Tampa Bay criminal attorneys for a free consultation

A crisis in your life calls for capable and compassionate assistance. The Matassini Law Firm, P.A. addresses your needs all the way through the legal process. For your free initial confidential conference with one of our Tampa criminal defense attorneys, call us today at 813-217-5715 or contact us online.

Share This Page:
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
888-377-0011
Toll Free
813-217-5715
Tampa
2811 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, Florida 33609
GET DRIVING DIRECTIONS
+