Understanding the Consequences of Injuries Inflicted by Other Residents in Nursing Homes: Insights from a Local Lawyer in Tampa
There are many concerns one has when placing a loved one in a nursing home. One that many are unaware of is the alarming frequency of resident on resident assaults. For all nursing home abuse questions, a Tampa lawyer for nursing home neglect can help.
A Tampa Lawyer for Nursing Home Neglect Can Help You Understand Why Assaults Occur
Each incident must be investigated based on the specific facts, but a Tampa lawyer for nursing home neglect reports some common issues. Typically, the aggressor suffers from:
- Dementia
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Another form of mental illness
The victim often is afflicted with a variety of physical limitations that prevent retreat or self-defense. Further, what could be a minor injury to a younger, more robust individual, can have serious health consequences for an elderly person, including, as a Tampa attorney for nursing home neglect cautions, a fatality.
A Tampa Attorney for Nursing Home Neglect Explains the Nursing Home’s Responsibility
Each nursing home is required to assess each resident and develop a proper care regimen based on their needs. Often patients with mental issues are prone to wander throughout the facility and become confused and perhaps agitated. Once such a diagnosis has been made, a Tampa lawyer for nursing home neglect explains that the nursing home should have in place a safety protocol designed to recognize and prevent just such resident on resident assaults. Too often, nursing homes fail to keep their residents safe due to:
- Insufficient staff to manage the number of residents
- A staff insufficiently trained in the safety protocol
- No safety protocol established
Signs to Look For
Of course look for physical signs of abuse, but also be alert for any sudden changes in mood, like depression, withdrawal, fear or avoidance of certain people. Additionally, as a Tampa lawyer for nursing home neglect warns, nursing homes may try and cover up an assault by claiming injuries to the victim were actually the result of a fall, which are unfortunately quite common in nursing homes.
Contact a Tampa Attorney for Nursing Home Neglect for Legal Advice
To protect your loved one, visit often and be vigilant. For any concerns, call Tampa lawyer for nursing home neglect Peter Giroux at 727-895-5399.