Sarasota Nursing Home Abuse
Posted on September 25, 2009
Filed Under Criminal Law |
Many nursing facilities get by working short staffed. By 2010, this is expected to get worse. There is an estimated need for 45% more nursing home and long-term care facility workers. Our populations are growing increasingly older. Many abuse cases go unreported or just get lost in the system.
Nobody should be the victim of nursing home abuse. It is a terrifying experience to know that a loved one has been mistreated. There are approximately 17,000 nursing facilities in the United States. There are an estimated 1.6 million residents that depend on these facilities to provide them with proper care and treatment.
One out of five Americans will be a senior citizen in 2030. It is predicted that two of the five people will require long-term care. The number of people needing long-term care is expected to quadruple in the middle of the 21st century.
Institutional abuse includes physical, mental, emotional, and sexual mistreatment. Neglect of a patient’s basic needs is the most frequent form of abuse. This makes sense due to the number of facilities that lack adequate staff. Three main factors are said to lead to abuse. Stressful working conditions, having staff that is not adequately trained to handle the residents properly, and psychological conditions that occur in demanding occupations.
When a nursing home case is brought into a courtroom, the accused people and facility will have an extremely strong defense. If abuse evidence can be proven, the victim will receive compensation. In very serious cases, nursing homes are closed down. There are statutes of limitations that pertain to abuse cases.
If you suspect abuse, get the names of all people who take part in your loved one’s daily care. Gather proof and documentation of any wrongful treatment and abuse. Make sure your loved one receives proper medical care for injuries or mental status changes. Take photos of any abuse related injuries and markings. Make sure to have a Sarasota personal injury attorney that is experienced in nursing home and institutional abuse cases.
If abuse can’t be proved with tangible evidence, chances are the facility will never be forced to change their ways. Attorneys with experience are needed to conduct proper investigations that will lead to a solid case. This will get abuse victims the compensation and proper care that they need. It will also force the institution to change there ways.
No one deserves to be abused and mistreated. Abuse should never be allowed or passed over in any situation. Long-term care facilities and nursing homes need to have adequate staffing and the ability to properly care for their residents. When facilities are punished to the full extent of the law, they are more likely to follow proper standard and code. This cuts down on the number of abuse cases that arise. Many abuse cases are not deliberate. They are cases such as bed sores and infections due to irregular care. These facilities need to make sure they keep their standard of care and staffing as high quality as possible.
This article should not be construed as legal advice.
Legal Tools: Jodat Law Group. Assisting nursing home abuse victims in the Bradenton, Florida area.
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