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Nursing Home Abuse in Palm City
The Signs of Elder Abuse
Because elder abuse can take so many forms, its signs can vary significantly. Here are a few of the signals of trouble:
Physical Abuse
- Broken bones, bruises
- Cigarette burns
- Cuts, scrapes, bleeding
- Untreated injuries
Sexual Abuse
- Vaginal or anal pain or irritation
- Difficulty walking or sitting
- Torn or bloody underclothes
- Bruises on inner thighs
Emotional Abuse
- Individual is isolated by caregiver
- Confusion
- Sleeping problems
- Withdrawal, depression
Financial Abuse
- Unpaid bills, late notices
- Bank statements are unaccounted for
- Unusual activity on bank or credit card accounts
- Financial and legal documents are missing
The National Center on Elder Abuse offers complete information on the warning signs of elder abuse.
Source: National Center on Elder Abuse.
Martin County’s Palm City is a census-designated place that about 24,000 people call home. A census-designated place represents a concentration of residents in an area that isn’t formally incorporated as a city or town. Development in Palm City dates to 1912, when the Palm Beach County Land Company began marketing proprties in the area. From its beginnings as a farming locale, Palm City has grown into a reputation for relaxed Florida living where golf, fishing, and tennis attract those seeking a nature-focused community that offers easy access to the attractions and amenities of Central and South Florida.
The pace of life in Palm City is laid back, providing residents with an environment appealing to sports enthusiasts and those who enjoy nature. When issues arise related to the care and well-being of older residents, citizens rely on the advice and guidance of the Palm City nursing home abuse attorneys at Freeman Injury Law.
Our experienced Palm City nursing home neglect lawyers know that communities across our state and across the U.S. share concerns about the care that elderly individuals receive in skilled nursing facilities. The work we’ve done as legal advocates for nursing home residents has taught us that far too many facilities just don’t measure up when it comes to meeting proscribed standards of care. Government figures confirm that more than 90% of the nation’s nursing homes are cited for deficiencies yearly. With more than 70,000 Americans residing in nursing homes, that means that an alarming number of vulnerable people are at risk for the negative consequences of substandard care.
What could happen if a nursing home is negligent? Our Palm City nursing home neglect and abuse attorneys know that most nursing home residents need significant help in order to accomplish the activities of daily life – such things as eating, bathing, dressing and using the bathroom. Many can’t move about without assistance, and when they don’t receive help, many suffer injuries from falls. Nursing homes that don’t insist on clean environments can create the conditions that cause infections to develop and spread. Facilities without enough staff members may neglect the needs of bedridden residents, causing them to develop bedsores. In turn, those wounds can lead to the lethal condition sepsis, which strikes when the immune system overreacts to bacteria in the body.
The Palm City elder abuse lawyers in our firm know the alarming statistics that confirm elderly residents of communities nationwide also are at risk for a variety of problems. Elder abuse affects an estimated 2 million Americans, according to the National Center on Elder Abuse. Issues may involve:
- Physical harm, such as bruises, broken bones, cuts, and worsening health conditions
- Emotional abuse caused by verbal assaults, humiliation, abandonment and neglect
- Sexual assault
- Financial exploitation, such as unauthorized cashing of checks, misuse or theft of money, identify theft, and pressure to change wills and other legal documents
- Neglect by caregivers and self-neglect by elderly individuals who are unable or unwilling to care for their own needs
When family members visit elderly nursing home residents or elderly loved ones who reside in their own homes, they can observe conditions and take action if it’s needed. The Palm City elder abuse and nursing home neglect lawyers at Freeman Injury Law, encourage all members of our community to learn the warning signs of elder abuse and neglect. When questions arise, we can help families by investigating suspicious circumstances and by taking action to protect your loved one’s rights. We believe that abusers and those who neglect the needs of elderly residents must be held accountable for the harm they do. Contact our firm for a free consultation if you believe that you or someone you care about has suffered damage because of elder abuse or neglect. We’ll provide the aggressive representation you need to stop abuse and recover compensation for your losses.
Freeman Injury Law – (800) 561-7777 -- Someone on YOUR Side
