Palm Bay Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

State and Federal Laws guarantee nursing home residents the right to be free from neglect, abuse, and exploitation. Unfortunately, the prevalence of elder abuse in institutional settings is dishearteningly high. Statistics indicate that one out of every ten seniors will experience some form of nursing home abuse or mistreatment during their lifetime.

The greater Palm Bay area has dozens of nursing facilities and assisted living centers for its aging population. If you suspect a loved one has been injured while in the care of a nursing home, the law firm of Kogan & DiSalvo is poised to help. Any type of neglect or abuse committed against the elderly is a breach of trust between families and the facility.  Our dedicated legal team has secured millions of dollars for clients and has the resources to seek justice against those who take advantage of the most vulnerable among us. 

Whether the wrongdoing involves physical or emotional abuse, you don’t have to face it alone. Reach out for a free, confidential case review with a Palm Bay nursing home abuse lawyer today. Our attorneys provide sound legal strategies for holding negligent caregivers responsible for their actions.

Types of Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect

Abuse in nursing homes is not limited to physical acts of violence. At its core, nursing home abuse and neglect are actions–or intentional omissions–by caregivers who either create or increase the risk of injury. A Palm Bay injury attorney at Kogan & DiSalvo conducts thorough investigations to hold facilities accountable for all types of wrongdoing, including:

• Neglecting basic medical needs leading to malnutrition or dehydration
• Failing to ensure proper hygiene
• Failing to change a patient’s position to prevent bedsores
• Inappropriate use of chemical or physical restraints 
• Failing to provide adequate supervision
• Intentional infliction of physical harm
• Failing to provide medication or giving the incorrect dosage
• Intentional isolation
• Intimidation, threatening remarks, belittling, or other types of emotional abuse
• Active or passive neglect
• Failing to follow safety protocols
• Failing to provide mobility aides
• Unwanted sexual contact
• Threats of violence

Warning Signs of Nursing Home Neglect

Finding out that a loved one is being mistreated by the facility where you entrusted their care is unnerving. Research indicates that abuse and neglect in nursing home settings are grossly underreported. By some estimates, only one out of every fourteen cases is conveyed to authorities. During visits, keep an eye out for potential signs that the staff is inflicting harm or failing to provide adequate care.

• Unexplained bruises and abrasions
• Frequent and unexplained falls
• Bedsores
• Broken bones
• Poor hygiene
• Sudden weight loss
• Behavioral changes
• Emerging health problems
• Unusual agitation or mood changes
• Social withdrawal
• Injuries or trauma to the genitals
• Sexually transmitted infections
• Unusual credit card charges or missing funds
• Frequent hospitalization for infection or illness
• Different behavior when specific staff are present

You can report suspected abuse to the Florida Department of Health (DOH) and other state agencies. Because there are specific deadlines for taking legal action, it’s important to speak with a Palm Bay nursing home abuse attorney as soon as possible.  

Cognitive Impairment Increases Risk of Abuse

Patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease have additional care needs that can strain nursing home staff, who are often overworked. Residents with severe cognitive impairment are easily agitated and may become verbally or physically combative. These situations can easily lead to abuse or over-sedation–especially when facilities are short-staffed. When a person with dementia suffers abuse, neglect, or abandonment, they may be unable to recognize what is happening or voice their experience.

Let our decades of experience handling Florida nursing home negligence claims help you achieve the justice and reparations rightfully owed.

Compensation Available to Nursing Home Abuse Victims

Our older relatives deserve to be treated with respect and dignity by their caregivers. Unfortunately, many of South Florida’s nursing home chains are profit-driven businesses that put their bottom line over the safety and well-being of their residents. When negligence occurs, our attorneys can help families seek appropriate damages to compensate the victim for the following:

• Past and ongoing medical expenses
• Costs of transitioning the resident to a different nursing facility
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Possible punitive damages

If your loved one ultimately died, you may be eligible to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit. In Florida, the decedent’s estate can sue for the following:

• Palliative care expenses
• Funeral costs
• Cremation or burial expenses
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of benefits

Nursing Home Neglect Attorneys in Palm Bay

An experienced nursing home abuse lawyer at Kogan & DiSalvo can guide you through this emotionally-charged process. If abuse or neglect occurred, we could collect evidence to seek redress for all injuries sustained. Reach out to arrange a free consultation with one of our dedicated attorneys. When you need a full-service law firm that takes cases on a contingency basis, you can depend on the team of Kogan & DiSalvo.