Have you noticed signs that your spouse, mom or dad isn’t getting the care they need? Do you suspect they are being mistreated, neglected or abused? If so, you should contact a Lakeland, Florida nursing home attorney immediately.
BE ON THE LOOKOUT: The following are signs that something may be wrong:
- They have unexplained or excessive bruises/contusions
- Bed sores are more common or are increasing
- You’ve noticed medicine and prescription errors
- They’ve been sent to the emergency room for unclear reasons
- They’ve suffered broken bones
- They’re complaining of mistreatment
Abuse and neglect of the elderly can be found in a variety of forms. We advise that, if something doesn’t feel right, you should start asking questions.
While people who are living in Lakeland and Polk County nursing homes and other full care facilities should be under the constant care of trained nurses and care staff – the reality is that proper care isn’t always given.
With understaffed homes or with staff who are overworked or poorly trained, neglect and improper care is a distinct possibility. Some facilities are driven by profit and attempt to cut corners. Some staff believe that they can get away with mistreatment or abuse because the residents can be intimidated or threatened to not tell anyone what happened. Memory care patients often don’t have the ability to communicate with members of their family if something is wrong.
Abuse of the elderly in Lakeland and across Florida
It’s terrible, but a quick Google Search of Nursing Home Abuse will lead you to daily news reports – “hard to read” reports, especially when many of these incidents could have been prevented. Acts of negligence and abuse happen across the country, here in Florida and certainly around the greater Lakeland area from time to time.
Recently, two nursing assistants were arrested in Macclenny, Florida in Baker County for mistreating an 85 year old patient. Just last year,the Lakeland Ledger reported on the Oakbridge Health Care Center in Lakeland for investigations related to repeated safety and health violations, including:
‒ One night shift nurse was solely responsible for a floor with more than 50 patients.
‒ The wife of a patient called 911 for emergency medical care after staff did not respond to her requests for help for her unresponsive husband.
‒ A temporary-care patient was transported to the wrong family. Her own family was not notified until after the error was discovered.
‒ Patients’ calls for assistance with using the toilet were unheeded, resulting in patients soiling themselves.
‒ Patients developed bed sores and there lacked documentation about how frequently they were turned.
– The state also cited numerous instances of staff mishandling medications.
A Place for Mom lists at least 50 skilled nursing facilities in and around Lakeland. That means there are hundreds of residents living in homes…and sadly…opportunities for improper care exist in all of them.
The attorneys at Baron, Herskowitz, and Cohen have a long history of successfully working on behalf of family members who need to determine what to do when they suspect – or have confirmed – abuse of their loved ones.
If you’re like most people in this position, you likely don’t know what steps to take.
Fortunately, we do. With just one phone call, our attorneys can provide you with free information about whether you may have a valid abuse claim, what your legal options are and what the ‘next steps’ should be.
We want to hear your story!
Help from lawyers working on nursing home abuse cases in Lakeland
Considering a nursing home lawsuit? Just have questions for a nursing home lawyer?
Our goal is to help you through this process, and though difficult, try to make the process as easy as possible on you and your loved ones. For a free, in-depth case review, please call us today at 305-670-0101 or use the contact form on the right hand side of this page.
We also help people living near Lakeland – in Plant City, Winter Haven, Auburndale,
