Simple Misconduct in Nursing Homes: What You Need to Know from a St. Petersburg Attorney
Misconduct in nursing homes is rampant. This is a particularly unfortunate truism about the state of elder care treatment these days, especially considering the fact that entering a nursing facility is difficult enough both for the new resident and family/loved ones placing him or her there. However, if you believe that your loved one has become a victim of misconduct, there is a way to gain compensation by working with a St. Petersburg nursing home abuse attorney.
A St. Petersburg Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Explains Types of Misconduct
Simple misconduct is a blanket term that refers to various forms of mistreatment of residents. When you speak with your St. Petersburg nursing home abuse attorney, he will ask for you to explain what lead you to suspect the facility. He will then consider whether misconduct is indeed at issue and whether a claim for compensation has a fair chance of success.
Your St. Petersburg nursing home abuse attorney will take into consideration the form of simple misconduct:
• Abuse: Abuse of a resident can be either verbal or physical, and in some cases, it will be both. Verbal abuse includes threats and intimidation. Physical abuse can amount to anything from slapping, hitting, pushing or pinching, to refusal to feed the resident or change dirty clothing. Perhaps the most egregious forms of physical abuse include denial of necessary medications and rape and other sexual abuse. When the latter is at issue, law enforcement really needs to be involved.
• Neglect: As your St. Petersburg nursing home abuse attorney will tell you, neglect is among the most common types of misconduct. Often nursing facilities are understaffed, the result of which is that residents may not receive the care they need.
• Misappropriation of Property: This form of misconduct involves the intentional removal, transferring, hiding or misuse of property owned by the resident. Taking a valuable ring, making unauthorized charges on a credit card and using the resident’s personal identification for personal gain are examples of misappropriation of property.
A St. Petersburg Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Cautions About Working With Facilities
Your St. Petersburg nursing home abuse attorney will tell you that it is generally not wise to work with the nursing facility itself to arrange a settlement on a claim. It is better to work with legal counsel because these facilities understand the legal process and will take measures to minimize any compensation you can obtain. One common tactic, for instance, is to agree to a very low settlement in return for the signing of a form that waives your right to further legal action.
Call a St. Petersburg Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer for Assistance Today
If you believe your loved one has become a victim of misconduct by staff, contact a St. Petersburg nursing home abuse attorney. Call Peter Giroux to arrange a complimentary consultation at (727) 895-5399.