Miami Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Lawyers

There are around 84,448 nursing home beds in the state of Florida, according to the Florida Health Care Association. Florida is known throughout the world as a good place to retire, thanks to our favorable tax laws, our near endless sunshine and the friendly people who populate our state. 

Unfortunately, however, nursing home neglect and abuse is all too common. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, around 10% of all seniors suffer some form of abuse. It is a tragedy that happens every single day in nursing homes all over the country.

That is where we come in. If you or a loved one has been abused or neglected while in a nursing home, we can help. Our experienced team of nursing home malpractice attorneys has what it takes to win your case. We have already helped many people in Miami and throughout Florida, and we are ready to help you out today.

Nursing Home Abuse

Sadly, there are many different forms of nursing home abuse that take place. An estimated 5 million elders are abused each year. As nursing home lawyers, we want you to be able to understand the different types of abuse that happen every day. They include: 

• Psychological Abuse
• Financial Abuse
• Physical Abuse
• Sexual Abuse

Signs of Abuse

1. Signs of Psychological Abuse

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Paranoia
• Moodiness
• Social Withdrawl

2. Signs of Financial Abuse

• Unexplained withdrawals from bank accounts
• Changes in power of attorney
• Changes in property titles
• Changes in wills
• Changes in life insurance policies
• Missing cash
• ATM withdrawals if the elderly person is bedridden
• Adding names to a credit card

3. Signs of Physical Abuse

• Unexplained broken bones
• Bruising on the body
• Failing to take medications
• Signs of restraint, such as rope marks on an elder’s wrist
• Broken glasses
• The caregiver not letting you alone with the elderly person

4. Signs of Sexual Abuse

• Stained, bloody or torn undergarments
• Unexplained STIs
• Bruising in private areas
• Bleeding in private areas

Nursing Home Neglect

What is nursing home neglect? And how is it different from nursing home abuse?

Elder abuse is intentional, where a caregiver deliberately inflicts pain on someone else. Elder neglect is not a purposeful act, but is instead someone not acting when they should. Make no mistake, this can still lead to serious harm. In some cases, it can be worse for the elderly person. 

Basically, this is when a nursing home does not provide the proper level of care for an elder.

1. Examples of Neglect

• Not keeping a hygienic room
• Not giving necessary medical treatments
• Not maintaining a comfortable temperature
• Understaffing
• Negligent hiring practices
• Inadequate training

2. Signs of Neglect

• Malnutrition
• Dehydration
• Bedsores, pressure sores and decubitus ulcers
• Inadequate staffing
• Physical, verbal or sexual abuse
• Unattended falls
• Wandering/elopement injuries
• Medication errors/overmedication

Suing a Nursing Home for Negligence

If you are looking to sue a nursing home, you need expert nursing home malpractice attorneys by your side. Dealing with the legal system can be incredibly difficult, especially as you deal with the trauma of having your loved one abused or neglected. Our experienced team knows what it takes to make sure that your loved ones are taken care of. 

There are many different things you can sue for. Lawsuit compensation can benefit a plaintiff by:

• Paying for medical bills
• Paying for mental health therapy
• Paying for physical therapy
• Paying for costs associated with moving
• Receiving justice for pain and suffering

Nursing Home Liability

Many nursing homes have a duty to protect their residents from abuse and neglect. This means that, under certain circumstances, they could be held liable for what they were doing. If you are able to prove your case in front of a court, you may be able to get a fair outcome from your case. Even if you don’t make it in front of a judge, there is a good chance that you can get a good settlement and receive the money that you need.

We handle personal injury and wrongful death cases in the Miami area and throughout Florida related to nursing home abuse, neglect, and other medical malpractice claims.

For over three decades, we have built a strong record of verdicts and negotiated settlements in nursing home abuse and neglect cases. Our elder abuse trial lawyers help clients secure the compensation for medical bills and as well as pain and suffering.

We approach every nursing home case with a comprehensive knowledge of the law, detailed medical research, and thorough preparation.

Uncovering patterns of nursing home abuse and neglect is not easy. An injury or death while in the care of a nursing home is not necessarily a sign of abuse or neglect. Our process includes thoroughly investigating the circumstances surrounding the injury and applying our knowledge of applicable Florida nursing home laws to determine whether abuse occurred. Another instrumental aspect of what we do involves arranging for alternate care following the injury or loss.

Our firm maintains a network of legal, medical and financial professionals to help us in assessing personal injury cases. In addition, we have a critical care nurse on staff to assess injuries and help arrange for immediate alternate care.

Because the nursing home industry is dominated by national chains, the accused and their insurance companies often fight extremely hard against allegations of nursing home abuse or neglect. Any litigation defeat can make it easier for future plaintiffs to achieve favorable outcomes as well. We are not intimidated by their efforts or resources.

If you suspect your elderly or ill loved one is being mistreated in any way, we can help. At Panter, Panter & Sampedro, our entire legal staff is sensitive to the trauma and feelings of guilt that families often experience after the abuse or neglect of a loved one in a Florida nursing home. We care about what happens to your loved one and your family.

Call 305-662-6178 for a FREE consultation with one of our expert attorneys.