Amplifying the Voices of Senior Victims of Violence and Neglect
Older adults deserve to be treated with dignity and respect in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. They also deserve to receive the care and attention they need to thrive. However, nursing home abuse happens more often than you might think despite Florida laws designed to protect residents.
If you have concerns about a senior citizen’s safety in a Florida Suncoast nursing home or assisted living facility, it is extremely important to seek advice from a compassionate nursing home abuse attorney. Taking steps to hold the facility accountable can stop current abuse and may be able to prevent elder abuse in the future.
The Facts About Nursing Home Abuse In Sarasota
Nursing home abuse occurs much more frequently than many Floridians suspect, and it can take many forms. In some cases, signs and symptoms of elder abuse are not so easy to identify, allowing abuse and neglect to persist. Here are the facts and figures pertaining to nursing home abuse from the National Council on Aging (NCOA):
About 1 out of every 10 Americans—or 10 percent—aged 60 and older has experienced elder abuse in some form.
Elder abuse can take different forms, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, confinement, passive neglect, willful deprivation, and financial exploitation.
Some researchers estimate that about 5 million older adults suffer elder abuse every year.
Nursing home abuse is widely underreported, and some researchers indicate that only about 1 in every 14 cases of abuse is actually reported (or about 7 percent of all elder abuse situations).
Perpetrators of elder abuse are often those who you might be unlikely to suspect, with around 60 percent being family members.
Seniors who suffer from mental impairment such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease are at greater risk of nursing home abuse.
Seniors who have suffered abuse are at an increased risk of death by about 300 percent compared to older adults who have not suffered from any type of abuse.
Understanding The Timeline For Filing A Nursing Home Abuse Claim
Under Florida law, most nursing home abuse lawsuits must be filed within two years from the date of the incident. If a claim is not filed within that two-year window, the nursing home abuse case can become time-barred. This is why it’s crucial to reach out to an experienced Sarasota nursing home abuse lawyer as soon as possible. They can ensure your claim is filed in a timely manner and guide you through the process.
Get In Touch With Our Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys
Are you concerned about the safety or well-being of an elderly loved one in a Florida nursing home or long-term care facility? Whether their injuries resulted from negligence due to understaffing or intentional physical abuse, it is important to hold the facility accountable by filing a claim. Our experienced nursing home abuse lawyers in Sarasota can speak with you today about your options. Contact Hale Law for more information about our services to plaintiffs and their families across South Florida. You can also call us at 1-800-800-1414.