Nursing home facilities that have been designated to care for the older population are in fact subjecting their residents to mistreatment, neglect, and abuse all across the United States. When a wrongdoing is performed to a resident, they can experience emotional distress, loss of self-esteem, physical injuries, and even death. A shocking reality sinks in when someone learns that their loved one was a victim of mistreatment or exploitation. No one ever believes that something bad could happen to them, especially when the facility was created for the purpose of caring for these elder individuals. How could such a thing be allowed by a facility that is “professional” and licensed? Well, it happens and continues to happen.
Fully trusting a facility to care for a loved one cannot happen anymore. Extreme vigilance and caution should be exercised by the resident’s loved ones to ensure that they are not being victimized. If it is deemed that abuse was applied onto the resident by the facility of staff members, then an attorney who is skilled with nursing home exploitation cases in Miami can work with the victim’s family to form a solid case for personal injury.
Issues That May Be the Origin for Abuse in a Nursing Home
A number of factors have been identified that can lead to a resident being abused in a nursing home. These are some issues that should be addressed by every nursing home facility so that the number of abused residents decreases or ceases to stop. Those include:
- Overcrowding of residents
- Lack of staff members
- Insufficient and poor quality training
- Lack of safety protocols
- Hiring of employees negligently performed
- Lack of necessary equipment’s within the facility
Any of these issues can result in a resident experiencing abuse. Nursing home facilities have to ensure that all of these issues are tackled. Abuse can take forms in various ways, not just physical or violent.
Figures on Abuse in Nursing Homes
- One-third of nursing homes were cited for violations that could cause injury between the year 1999 and 2001
- Abuse has been reported in 40% of nursing homes, while 90% report that neglect has taken place
- Nursing home employees have admitted to neglect or abuse in more than 40% of care facilities
FAQS on Nursing Home Exploitation
Question: Has abuse in nursing homes become a major issue?
Answer: It has. It is a widespread problem and what makes it worse is that many cases of abuse and neglect do not go reported.
Question: Can abuse be recognized?
Answer: Yes. Sometimes it may be hard to see, but there are certain signs that will be displayed by the resident whether it is through their behavior or physical state.
Abuse Is a Cause for Concern in Care Facilities
Residents are being abused on a daily basis, and many are never to escape the horror because they have no one to help them. Recognizing the signs and reporting the abuse are two vital assets in ensuring the future safety of the resident and others. Consulting with a professional lawyer in Miami for Nursing Home exploitation at Percy Martinez Law Firm is one of the many steps that must be taken before proceeding with a lawsuit.
Miami
Email: percy@percymartinezlaw.com