St. Petersburg Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys

Lawyers for Injuries Caused by Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect in St. Petersburg, FL

The decision to place a loved one in a nursing home or assisted living facility can be difficult for a family. When health issues, mobility limitations, or cognitive decline make it unsafe for a person to live independently, a family may trust a nursing home to provide the proper care. That trust may be betrayed when a nursing home fails to protect against abuse or does not provide the care a person needs. Elderly people who experience abuse or neglect in St. Petersburg nursing homes may suffer from physical pain and emotional trauma, and these issues can lead to a rapid decline in health.

The attorneys at Mickey Keenan, P.A. work to protect the rights of nursing home residents, and we take steps to hold facilities accountable for abuse or neglect. Our award-winning legal team has recovered millions of dollars for victims of negligence. We treat nursing home abuse cases with sensitivity and compassion while performing investigations to uncover negligence. We fight to hold nursing homes responsible for injuries that have occurred when they put profits ahead of patient care.

Recognizing the Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect

Issues that affect the health and safety of nursing home residents may not be noticed right away, especially when elderly people do not report mistreatment because of cognitive impairments or fear of retaliation. Family members may notice signs of neglect or abuse. Injuries such as cuts, bruises, burns, or broken bones may indicate that physical abuse has occurred, especially when staff members cannot provide reasonable explanations for how these injuries happened.

Sudden changes in behavior may be a sign of abuse or neglect. Residents who become withdrawn, anxious, fearful, or agitated may be experiencing mistreatment. Depression, unusual sleep patterns, or refusal to speak in front of certain staff members could be signs of abuse.

Physical signs of neglect may include rapid weight loss, dehydration, poor hygiene, soiled clothing or bedding, and untreated medical conditions. Bedsores may develop when residents who are bedridden are not moved to new positions regularly. These wounds can progress quickly, and they can become life-threatening if infections develop.

Physical Abuse in Nursing Homes

Staff members may strike, push, restrain, or take other actions that cause physical harm to residents. Some abuse may be based on frustration or anger, while other incidents may involve deliberate cruelty. Regardless of the motivation, any intentional physical harm to a nursing home resident is unacceptable.

Inappropriate or excessive use of physical restraints is a concerning form of nursing home abuse. When staff members tie or strap residents to chairs or beds or use bedrails or other methods to keep patients confined in one place, they can cause both physical and psychological harm.

Rough handling of nursing home residents can cause injuries. Fractures, dislocations, and soft tissue injuries may occur when workers move residents carelessly or without proper assistance.

Verbal and Emotional Abuse

Verbal abuse may include yelling at residents, using demeaning language, making threats, insulting or humiliating residents, or ignoring residents’ attempts to communicate. Emotional abuse may involve isolation, intimidation, and other conduct that causes a person to experience psychological distress. While verbal and emotional abuse will not leave visible injuries, these issues can still cause serious harm.

Elderly people in nursing homes may depend entirely on a facility’s staff to meet their basic needs. When caregivers belittle, mock, or threaten residents, the psychological impact of abuse can be devastating. Residents may become fearful, withdrawn, or depressed. Some may lose the will to eat, engage in activities, or interact with others.

Isolation as punishment is a common form of emotional abuse. Residents who are left alone for extended periods, not allowed to participate in activities, or prevented from having contact with family members and other residents can suffer emotional harm.

Sexual Abuse of Nursing Home Residents

Sexual abuse in nursing homes is a deeply disturbing problem that may affect residents who are unable to report abuse or defend themselves against assaults. Sexual abuse may include any non-consensual sexual contact or activities.

The perpetrators of sexual abuse in nursing homes may be staff members, other residents, or visitors to a facility. Nursing homes have an obligation to protect residents from sexual assault by properly screening employees, supervising residents, and responding immediately to reports or signs of sexual abuse. When facilities fail to take these protective measures, they can be held liable for the harm that results.

Neglect and Failure to Provide Adequate Care

Neglect may occur when a nursing home fails to provide the care that residents need. Unlike abuse, which involves intentional harmful acts, neglect involves inaction or failure to meet residents’ needs. Neglect can lead to issues such as:

• Falls and Fall-Related Injuries: When a nursing home has inadequate staffing, residents may not receive the assistance they need when they attempt to get out of bed, use the bathroom, or move about the facility. Falls can occur when residents are not properly supervised and do not receive the help they need. Hazards such as poor lighting, wet floors, and cluttered walkways can also increase the risks of falls.
• Malnutrition and Dehydration: Adequate nutrition and hydration are crucial to ensure that a person can maintain good health. Some nursing home residents may need assistance with eating and drinking. When understaffed facilities do not provide this assistance, residents may not receive sufficient food and fluids. Malnutrition and dehydration can lead to issues such as rapid weight loss, weakness, confusion, dizziness, urinary tract infections, or kidney problems.
• Lack of Medical Care: Nursing home residents will often have complex medical needs, and they will require ongoing monitoring and treatment. Facilities may fail to provide prescribed medications, monitor chronic conditions, respond to symptoms of illness, or provide appropriate medical treatment. Delayed treatment can allow treatable conditions to progress, leading to serious complications or death.
• Poor Hygiene and Sanitation: Residents may need assistance with bathing, using the toilet, and maintaining personal hygiene. Neglect by a nursing home may lead to soiled clothing or bedding or failure to bathe for extended periods. These issues can lead to health problems such as skin infections or urinary tract infections.

How Our Law Firm Advocates for Nursing Home Residents

Cases involving nursing home abuse and neglect will require thorough investigations to gather evidence of mistreatment. Medical records can document the injuries a person has suffered or changes in their health status. Facility staffing records can reveal whether a nursing home maintained adequate staff levels or hired people who were unqualified. Incident reports, inspection reports, and previous complaints or violations may show that there was a pattern of negligence at a nursing home.

The legal team at Mickey Keenan, P.A. works with medical professionals who can review records and provide opinions about whether the care provided by a nursing home met acceptable standards and whether neglect or abuse was responsible for a person’s injuries. We will interview witnesses, including other residents, family members, and former employees who may have knowledge about the conditions at a facility. We will work to hold a facility accountable for the harm suffered by a resident while taking steps to prevent abuse and neglect in the future.

Contact Our St. Petersburg, Florida Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse Lawyers

When a nursing home has failed to meet its obligations to protect the health and safety of residents, the lawyers at Mickey Keenan, P.A. can help a family fight for justice. We are committed to protecting vulnerable residents who have suffered harm due to nursing home negligence, and we advocate for compensation that will address the effects of abuse or neglect.

Call Mickey Keenan, P.A. at 813-412-8226 to schedule a free consultation and discuss your concerns with our St. Petersburg nursing home negligence attorneys. With our decades of experience and our proven track record of recovering millions of dollars for injury victims, we can take steps to hold a nursing home accountable for the harm your loved one has suffered.