Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse in Orlando

Nursing home residents have numerous rights guaranteed by both federal and state law, ensuring their dignity, safety, and quality of life. These rights include treatment with respect and freedom from abuse and neglect. The warning signs of nursing home abuse in Orlando can encompass a range of mistreatment, from physical harm to the failure to provide basic care. 

If you believe your loved one is in immediate danger, call emergency services for assistance and report the abuse to local law enforcement or adult protective services. If your loved one does not appear to be at imminent risk, you can reach out to the nursing home administrator to express your concerns and request an investigation. 

You should also seek advice from an attorney with experience handling nursing home negligence cases to understand your legal options and protect your loved one’s rights. Our legal team at Colling Gilbert Wright offers a free consultation to review your situation and discuss next steps. 

How Nursing Home Abuse Often Happens 

In Orlando, the warning signs of nursing home abuse or neglect may not always be immediately obvious due to a combination of factors, including the residents’ own limitations and systemic issues with reporting and oversight. Some residents, especially those with dementia or cognitive impairments, may struggle to express what they are experiencing or understand the nature of the abuse. Residents may fear repercussions from staff if they report abuse, such as being moved to a different room, denied needed care, or being subjected to further mistreatment. 

Some residents may not realize they are being abused, or may not understand the significance of their experiences. Nursing home staff may not be adequately trained to recognize and report all forms of abuse, particularly psychological abuse or neglect, leading them to underreport incidents. Nursing home leaders may not prioritize or promote reporting of abuse, creating a culture where it is less likely to be uncovered. 

The reporting process for nursing home abuse can be complex and cumbersome, with many factors hindering accurate reporting. Inspectors responsible for enforcing regulations and overseeing facilities may be overworked, underpaid, and discouraged from taking strong action. Nursing homes often use appeals processes to challenge findings of abuse, potentially delaying or preventing appropriate action. 

Warnings Signs and Liability in Nursing Home Abuse Cases 

Warning signs of nursing home neglect or abuse in Orlando can range from physical signs to indications of emotional or financial abuse. Types of abuse and important signs to watch for include: 

  • Physical abuse: Unexplained injuries, bruises, burns, broken bones, or welts 
  • Neglect: Malnutrition, dehydration, untreated bedsores, poor hygiene, unclean living conditions, or failure to provide medication or basic needs 
  • Emotional abuse: Withdrawal, changes in behavior, unusual behaviors, or a resident’s report of mistreatment 
  • Financial abuse: Unexplained financial transactions, missing belongings or valuables, or changes to wills or powers of attorney 
  • Sexual abuse: Bruises in genital areas, unexplained STDs, or emotional withdrawal 

Legal recourse for nursing home abuse typically involves filing a civil lawsuit against the nursing home and its staff, seeking compensation for damages suffered by the victim. If the abuse leads to death, the surviving family may have grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit. 

Liability for nursing home abuse or neglect can fall on various parties, including the individual staff member responsible for the abuse, the nursing home itself, and even third-party contractors. The nursing home may be liable for the actions of its employees through negligence, failing to adequately train or supervise staff, or failing to prevent foreseeable harm. Additionally, third-party contractors, such as those providing security or maintenance, can be held liable for their own negligence.

Contact an Orlando Attorney if You Recognize Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse 

The warning signs of nursing home abuse in Orlando can be wide-ranging in nature, but it is important to act quickly to protect your loved one’s legal rights. Colling Gilbert Wright’s nursing home abuse lawyers have extensive experience investigating these situations, gathering evidence, and pursuing legal action to seek compensation for damages. 

Past recoveries include a $2.5 million damage award on behalf of a mentally impaired stroke victim who was impregnated by a male certified nurse assistant at her nursing home. Another case involved the tragic death of a nursing home abuse victim who wandered away from the facility and later died from exposure to the elements. Our firm ultimately recovered $1.275 million in damages for the victim’s family. 

We know what it takes to hold the responsible parties legally accountable for nursing home abuse and negligence. Contact Colling Gilbert Wright today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your legal options.