Even though your loved one may not be under your direct line of care, you must still serve as their protector. This is because they may be put in a vulnerable position in their nursing home care facility, which is when abuse may occur. Continue reading to learn the warning signs of nursing home abuse and how an experienced Pasco County, Florida injury lawyer at Wendy Doyle-Palumbo, Esq. can help you in detecting them.

What are the warning signs of nursing home abuse?

Your loved one may have a medical condition (i.e., Alzheimer’s, dementia, etc.) that does not allow them to comprehend or remember that they have been made victims of abuse in their nursing home. Or, they may just fear the repercussions of reporting these incidents of abuse. This is why you must be their eyes and ears and look out for these warning signs on their behalf. Such warning signs include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • You find your loved one to have recurrent cuts, bruises, gashes, and broken bones.
  • You find your loved one to have recurrent sexually transmitted infections.
  • You find your loved one to have a significant amount of funds removed from their checking account.
  • You find your loved one to appear withdrawn in social settings.
  • You find your loved one to appear anxious in the presence of a nurse or staff member.
  • You find your loved one to appear malnourished or dehydrated.
  • You find your loved one to appear overmedicated.
  • You find your loved one lying in bed while in dirty or soiled garments.
  • You find your loved one wandering the premises of the nursing home unattended.

What should I do if I suspect abuse is occurring?

If you suspect that your loved one is being abused in their nursing home, due to any of the aforementioned warning signs or any other indication, then you may file an elder abuse claim against the abusive nurse, staff member, or care facility. Importantly, you should worry about this after you move your loved one to immediate safety. For your claim, you should respond to your loved one’s incident in the following way:

  1. Call your local law enforcement and request a copy of their report.
  2. Call Florida’s Adult Protective Services and request a copy of their report.
  3. Take photos and videos of your loved one’s injuries.
  4. Collect medical documents and bills correlated to your loved one’s injuries.
  5. Collect the oral or written testimonies of witnesses who watched the abuse play out.
  6. Request security camera footage that shows the abuse playing out.

In the end, a skilled Pasco County, Florida injury lawyer is ready and willing to stand by your side throughout this claim process. Contact Wendy Doyle-Palumbo, Esq. today.