Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Jacksonville, FL

Every year, nursing home abuse leaves some elderly physically harmed, financially ruined, emotionally scarred, or even killed. Families put their trust in nursing homes to watch over and care for their loved ones, yet many facilities don't provide the safe environment needed, and cut corners in order to save money. In fact, nearly 1 in 3 nursing homes in the U.S. have been issued citations for abuse. 

Watch for the signs of abuse to protect your loved ones:

• Untimely or unexplained death
• Unexpected falls
• Head injuries, broken bones or sprains
• Bruises or burns
• Cuts or abrasions
• Bedsores or skin breakdown

The Nursing Home Abuse Expert™

Learn more about Coker Law's nursing home abuse practice by visiting SteveWatrel.Com, The Nursing Home Abuse Expert™. Steve Watrel is recognized as one of the leading trial lawyers in the field of nursing home abuse and assisted living litigation.

What Constitutes Nursing Home Abuse?

Nursing home abuse can take many forms, and it often goes unnoticed, leaving vulnerable elderly residents at risk. Abuse isn't always physical: neglect, emotional trauma, and financial exploitation are also forms of abuse and more common than many people realize. 

Physical Abuse

This is one of the most recognized forms of nursing home abuse and includes hitting, shoving, or improperly restraining a resident. Signs may include unexplained bruises, broken bones, or a sudden change in mobility.

Emotional and Psychological Abuse

Emotional abuse occurs when a caregiver uses verbal threats, humiliation, or isolation to control or manipulate a resident. This type of abuse can be harder to detect but may manifest as depression, anxiety, or withdrawal from social interactions

Nursing Home Neglect

Neglect is one of the most common forms of abuse in nursing homes, often due to understaffing. It includes failing to meet the basic needs of residents, such as providing food, water, or medical care. Signs of neglect include the presence of bedsores, poor hygiene, or weight loss.​

Financial Exploitation

Elderly residents can also fall victim to financial abuse, where caregivers may coerce or manipulate them into giving away money or property. This often goes unnoticed until significant financial damage has been done

Sexual Abuse

sexual abuse in nursing homes is an appalling violation of trust. It includes any non-consensual sexual contact with a resident, often perpetrated by staff or even other residents. Signs can include bruising around sensitive areas or sudden discomfort around certain staff members​

If you suspect your loved one may be a victim of nursing home abuse, act quickly. speak with an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer and report the situation as soon as possible.

How to Report Nursing Home Abuse in Florida

If you suspect that your loved one is experiencing abuse in a Florida nursing home, take action as soon as possible. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to report nursing home abuse in Florida:

1. Call the Florida Abuse Hotline: The Florida Department of Children and Families operates a 24/7 abuse hotline for reporting suspected elder abuse. You can call 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873) to report your concerns. If the situation is urgent and life-threatening, always call 911 first.
2. File a Complaint with the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA): You can also report nursing home abuse to the AHCA, which oversees the licensing and regulation of healthcare facilities in Florida. Complaints can be filed online through their Complaint Portal, or by calling 1-888-419-3456
3. Contact a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney: Filing a report is only the first step. In many cases, legal action is necessary to hold the facility accountable. Contact an experienced nursing home abuse attorney, such as Coker Law, to help guide you through the legal process and advocate for your loved one's rights.
4. Gather Evidence: Document any signs of abuse or neglect, such as photographs of injuries, records of conversations with staff, and dates of incidents. This information will be critical when authorities investigate the complaint.
5. Follow Up on the Investigation: After you file the report, both the Department of Children and Families and the AHCA will conduct an investigation. Keep track of your complaint's progress and check that appropriate measures are taken to protect your loved one during and after the investigation.

Common Causes of Nursing Home Abuse

Unnecessary Use of Restraints

There are two kinds of restraints used in a nursing home: physical and chemical. Physical restraints are used to tie a person to a fixed object in order to prevent them from moving or potentially harming themselves. 

Chemical restraints are drugs intended to control a person's behavior. If the nursing home uses restraints on a patient, they must be medically necessary and ordered by a physician. The use of a restraint simply for staff convenience is against the law and deemed as abuse.

Understaffing

Nursing assistants provide most of the hands-on caregiving in nursing homes. If your family member is staying in a nursing home, find out how many nursing assistants there are on each shift and compare it to the number of residents they are responsible for. If the ratio is more than nine residents per nursing assistant, you should be wary. Make sure to visit and pay close attention to whether the residents' needs are being sufficiently accommodated.

Inadequate Screening and Training

Nursing assistants have been responsible for a great deal of the abuse in nursing homes, much of which results from inadequate screening and training. Elderly residents are susceptible to abuse because they are at the mercy of the nursing assistants on site.

Coker Law Will Fight For Your Loved Ones

Our attorneys understands how important it is to make sure your loved ones are safe and secure, especially in their elderly age. If you or someone you know has suffered an injury or abuse at a nursing home, you may have a case and should consult a nursing home abuse lawyer. Contact Coker Law today to set up a free consultation.