Taking Action Against Nursing Home Abuse: Giroux & Associates Can Help You Understand the Different Types
When you place a loved one in a nursing care facility, the idea that they might suffer abuse is unconscionable. Though rare, it’s important to recognize the signs of abuse. A Tampa nursing home abuse attorney can explain your legal options.
Nursing Home Neglect
As your Tampa nursing home abuse lawyer can explain, care facilities must follow a basic standard of care in the treatment of their residents or patients. They must use reasonable care to avoid injury to their patients. Neglect may fall below that standard of care and expose the nursing home to legal liability to injury the patient suffers. Signs of neglect might be:
- Isolation;
- Starvation;
- Withholding medication;
- Improper medication;
- Dehydration; and
- Failure to provide basic hygiene, etc.
Nursing Home Abuse
Neglect as described above can also form the basis for an abuse claim, but there a variety of other circumstances to watch out for such as:
- Sexual Abuse – Unwanted sexual contact should not occur in the nursing home setting. Nursing home patients are often vulnerable and incapable of providing consent or protest;
- Verbal Abuse – This can include vulgar or demeaning language directed at a nursing home resident;
- Physical Abuse – Assault and battery is the extreme end of physical abuse, but look for signs of neglect as well; and
- Mental Abuse – Again, nursing home patients are generally vulnerable and susceptible to suggestion and coercion. Staff members may hold a position of power over a resident and it’s important to watch for any abuse.
If you suspect any of the above types of abuse, they may also rise to the level of a crime. Call law enforcement and consult with a Tampa nursing home abuse lawyer as soon as possible.
If you suspect you or a loved one suffered abuse at the hands of a nursing home facility staff member, contact an experienced Tampa nursing home abuse attorney to discuss your case. Call the law offices of Peter Giroux to set up an appointment at (727) 895-5399.