When you trust a nursing home to care for your loved one, you expect compassion, respect, and proper medical attention. Sadly, abuse and neglect happen more often than you’d think, leaving families hurt and uncertain. If you suspect mistreatment at a nursing home, you need legal help right away. A skilled Coral Gables nursing home abuse attorney can help you seek compensation for medical bills, pain, and other damages.
Nursing home abuse is heartbreaking, and dealing with it can feel like a lot. But you don’t have to handle it alone. Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia is here to help protect your loved one’s rights and get the answers you need. Call us today at 305-845-4470 for a free consultation.
Nursing Home Abuse Cases We Handle
Nursing home abuse takes many forms, and each can have devastating effects on the victim and their family. At Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia, we handle a wide range of nursing home abuse cases, including:
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse in nursing homes includes hitting, slapping, pushing, or improper restraint use, often indicated by unexplained bruises or injuries. Our team will gather evidence and consult experts to hold abusers accountable. Abuse can also involve force-feeding or medication misuse. If you notice anything concerning, act quickly to protect your loved one.
Emotional and Psychological Abuse
Psychological abuse in nursing homes is just as damaging as physical abuse, but it leaves different scars. Insults, threats, and isolation are tactics that break a person down, leaving them scared, anxious, and withdrawn. The absence of physical evidence doesn’t mean the abuse didn’t happen. We know how to expose the truth, hold the people responsible accountable, and protect your loved one.
Neglect
Neglect in nursing homes happens when staff fail to meet basic needs like food, water, hygiene, or medical care. Signs include malnutrition, bedsores, and poor hygiene, indicating a serious lack of care. Whether due to understaffing, inadequate training, or carelessness, neglect can be life-threatening. Our team will investigate, interview staff, and gather evidence to support your claim, fighting for your loved one’s safety and justice.
Financial Exploitation
Financial abuse in nursing homes can happen when someone misuses credit cards, bank accounts, or other assets, often leaving families confused and unsure of what to do next. If you notice strange transactions, missing belongings, or anything that seems off, we can help track down the abuse and seek restitution. This kind of exploitation might involve forged signatures, coercion, or misusing power of attorney. Our team works with financial experts to get to the truth, hold the person responsible accountable, and recover what was taken from your loved one.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse in nursing homes is deeply troubling and can include unwanted touching, harassment, or assault. Victims may show physical signs of trauma or sudden changes in behavior, like withdrawal or fearfulness. Our team prioritizes the victim’s well-being while seeking justice, collaborating with law enforcement, medical professionals, and forensic experts to gather evidence and hold perpetrators accountable.
Nursing Home Abuse Statistics
Nursing home abuse is a widespread issue, affecting thousands of seniors each year. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that only one in 24 elder abuse cases is reported, leaving many victims without help. Family members must stay alert to signs of mistreatment and act quickly if they suspect abuse.
This problem is especially significant in Florida, given the state’s large elderly population. During the federal fiscal year of 2023, the Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program investigated 2,051 complaints.
These statistics show why vigilance and timely action matter. If you suspect abuse, legal guidance from Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia can help protect your loved one and potentially prevent harm to others.
Examples of Cases We Could Represent for You and How We Would Do It
To give you a better idea of what an abuse case might look like and what should happen next, we’ve created some hypothetical examples.
Case Example 1: Physical Abuse
Imagine your loved one moves into a Coral Gables nursing home, and before long, you start noticing unexplained bruises or fractures. Our team will review the records, talk to staff, and work with medical experts to determine what happened. Once we identify who’s responsible, we’ll take legal action to seek compensation for your loved one and help protect others from the same harm.
Case Example 2: Neglect
Your mom goes into a nursing home for rehab, but before long, she has bedsores and signs of dehydration. We’ll look into staff practices, check schedules, and work with experts to confirm whether neglect is occurring. If we find larger issues, we’ll build a strong case to seek compensation for her suffering and push for better oversight.
Case Example 3: Financial Exploitation
A family discovers that their elderly father’s bank account has been drained of thousands of dollars while he’s been in a nursing home. We would work with forensic accountants to trace the transactions back to the perpetrator. Our attorneys would then file a legal claim to recover the stolen funds and pursue criminal charges if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questionss About Nursing Home Abuse Cases
Following are answers to some of the questions we hear most often from our clients about nursing home abuse cases.
How Much Is My Nursing Home Abuse Case Worth?
The value of your case depends on several factors, including the severity of the abuse, the cost of medical care, and the emotional distress your loved one has experienced. Compensation may cover expenses like medical bills, pain and suffering, and punitive damages in cases of particularly egregious abuse. Every situation is unique, and our attorneys will take the time to thoroughly assess your case and give you a clearer understanding of its potential value.
Why Should I Seek Compensation?
Pursuing compensation is more than money—it’s about holding nursing homes accountable and protecting other residents from similar harm. Financial compensation can help cover medical expenses and long-term care costs while encouraging facilities to improve their training, staffing, and safety protocols to prevent future abuse.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in Florida?
Florida has a two-year statute of limitations period on nursing home negligence cases. The timeline for a nursing home abuse case can vary depending on things like how much evidence is available, how straightforward the case is, and the court’s schedule. Some cases wrap up in a few months, while others can take a year or more, so the sooner you can file your claim, the better. Our team will update and inform you throughout your case.
What Should I Do If I Suspect Nursing Home Abuse?
If you think abuse might be happening, make sure to document any signs—like injuries or sudden changes in behavior. Talk to your loved one privately, and report your concerns to the nursing home administrator. Then, call our team at 305-845-4470 to review your legal options.
Why Should I Choose Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia?
We have experience handling nursing home abuse cases in Coral Gables and throughout Florida. We’re committed to helping families get the justice they deserve by holding negligent nursing homes accountable. Our team takes a compassionate, results-driven approach and will keep you informed every step of the way.
Protect Your Loved One from Further Harm
Your loved one’s safety should never be at risk. If you think nursing home abuse or neglect might be happening, don’t wait. Call Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia at 305-845-4470 or contact us online to schedule a consultation. We’ll listen, answer your questions, and help you figure out the next steps to protect your loved one and hold those responsible accountable. Reach out today—we’re here to help.
