Jacksonville Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

Common Signs of Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect

Sometimes the only way to know your loved one is being neglected or abused is to see the signs for them. There are several types of abuse that you should look for, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, financial exploitation, and healthcare fraud. Each of these types has several signs that you should look for to be able to detect nursing home abuse.

Physical Abuse

• Unexplained injuries, such as bruises, cuts, burns, or fractures
• Recurring injuries, frequent hospital visits, or injuries in various stages of healing
• Signs of restraint, such as marks on wrists or ankles
• Refusal by staff to allow visitors or seeing the resident alone

Emotional or Psychological Abuse

• Unusual behavior, such as mood swings, agitation, or withdrawal
• Fearfulness or anxiety, especially around certain staff members
• Depression (e.g., crying or lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities)
• Isolation/being kept away from other residents or activities

Sexual Abuse

• Bruising around breasts or genitals
• Unexplained STDs or infections
• Torn, stained, or bloody underclothing
• Fearfulness or withdrawal from physical contact

Financial Abuse

• Unexplained withdrawals from bank accounts
• Missing personal belongings or valuables
• Unusual changes in financial documents or wills
• Sudden changes in spending patterns or financial habits

Neglect

• Poor personal hygiene, such as unwashed hair, body odor, dirty clothing
• Malnutrition or dehydration (e.g., weight loss, dry skin, or frequent thirst)
• Untreated medical conditions, such as bedsores or infections
• Unsanitary living conditions (e.g., soiled bedding, dirty living space, or pests)

Verbal Abuse

• Insults, threats, or yelling directed at the resident
• Humiliation or ridicule
• Sudden changes in behavior indicating fear of speaking up
• Reports from the resident about being mistreated or spoken to harshly

Social Abuse

• Isolation from family and friends
• Restricting access to community activities or social interactions
• Intimidation preventing the resident from speaking out
• Unwillingness to speak in the presence of certain staff members

Lastly, if there is healthcare fraud, look out for your loved one getting the wrong dosage of medications, not enough staff to care for them, or duplicate bills for one service. All of these things would warrant a call to a nursing home abuse lawyer in Jacksonville.

Nursing home abuse is a serious and deeply concerning issue that affects some of the most vulnerable members of society. Here are the most common causes of nursing home abuse:

• Understaffing: When nursing homes are understaffed, residents may not receive adequate care or supervision. This can lead to neglect, delayed responses to emergencies, and increased risk of abuse.
• Poor Training and Supervision: Staff members who are not properly trained may mishandle residents or fail to recognize signs of abuse or distress. Without effective supervision, poor behavior can go unchecked.
• Negligent Hiring Practices: Hiring staff without proper background checks can bring unqualified or dangerous individuals into close contact with vulnerable residents. This increases the risk of intentional abuse or serious neglect.
• Lack of Oversight and Regulation: When facilities are not regularly inspected or held accountable, abuse and neglect are more likely to go unnoticed. A lack of enforcement allows unsafe practices to persist.
• Resident Vulnerability: Elderly residents, especially those with dementia or disabilities, may not be able to report abuse or protect themselves. Their dependency makes them easy targets for mistreatment.
• High Staff Turnover: Constant changes in staff lead to inconsistency in care and communication gaps. It also prevents strong relationships from forming between staff and residents, reducing trust and accountability.
• Inadequate Reporting Systems: When residents or staff don’t have safe ways to report abuse, it often remains hidden. Fear of retaliation or disbelief may silence victims and witnesses.
• Financial Pressures: Some for-profit nursing homes cut costs by reducing staff or skimping on care quality. This cost-cutting can directly contribute to unsafe conditions and neglect.
• Caregiver Burnout: Exhausted or overwhelmed staff may lose patience or become emotionally detached. This burnout can lead to unintentional neglect or even aggressive behavior.
• Cultural or Systemic Issues: Toxic workplace cultures that ignore abuse or discourage reporting can allow mistreatment to continue. When management prioritizes profits or silence over safety, residents suffer.

Often, the liable party will be able to offer you a fast settlement offer to victims of nursing home abuse to try to get the case over quickly and with minimal impact to them financially. We urge you to consult with a lawyer before deciding to take any settlement offer. 

As your team of Jacksonville nursing home abuse lawyers, there are several things that we would be able to recover for you in terms of your damages and injuries when we pursue compensation from the facility your loved one was in.

This may include compensation for:

• Physical therapy
• Medical treatment
• Pain and suffering
• Change in living arrangements
• Punitive damages

You can report nursing home abuse in the state of Florida by contacting the Health Care Administration (HCA). They will likely take your statement and open an investigation. Before reporting nursing home abuse, we would advise you to call your lawyer first to ensure you are collecting all the sufficient evidence. 

In this video, Tom explains what to look for when selecting a nursing home abuse lawyer.

What Should I Do If I Suspect Nursing Home Abuse in Florida?

If you believe a loved one is being mistreated in a nursing home, take these steps:

1. Document everything – Take notes, photos of injuries, and gather medical records.
2. Speak with nursing home management – Report concerns to supervisors or administrators.
3. File a complaint – Report the abuse to the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) or Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF).
4. Remove your loved one if necessary – If their safety is at risk, consider relocating them to a safer facility.
5. Consult a Jacksonville nursing home abuse lawyer – Legal action may be necessary to hold negligent facilities accountable and secure compensation for injuries.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Nursing Home Abuse?

Depending on the circumstances, multiple parties may be responsible for nursing home abuse or neglect, including:

• The nursing home facility – If poor hiring, training, or understaffing contributed to neglect or abuse.
• Individual staff members – If a caregiver intentionally harmed or neglected a resident.
• Third-party contractors – If outside medical professionals or service providers contributed to the harm.
• Pharmaceutical providers – If medication errors or overmedication were involved.

A thorough investigation can determine who is liable and what legal action is available.

Can I File a Lawsuit for Nursing Home Abuse in Florida?

Yes. If your loved one suffered abuse or neglect in a nursing home, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover damages for:

• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Wrongful death (if the abuse led to a fatality)

Florida has strict laws protecting elderly residents, and facilities can be held accountable for failing to provide proper care.

How Long Do I Have to File a Nursing Home Abuse Claim in Florida?

In Florida, the statute of limitations for nursing home abuse lawsuits is generally two years from the date the abuse occurred or was discovered. However, exceptions may apply, such as:

• Fraud or concealment of abuse – The deadline may be extended if the facility hid evidence.
• Mental incapacity – If the victim was unable to recognize the abuse, additional time may be granted.

Because time limits vary, it’s best to consult an attorney as soon as possible to avoid losing your right to compensation.

How Can a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Help?

An experienced nursing home abuse lawyer can:

• Investigate the facility and gather evidence of neglect or mistreatment.
• Interview witnesses, including staff and other residents.
• File claims with the appropriate state agencies to ensure regulatory action.
• Pursue compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages.
• Hold negligent parties accountable, ensuring safer conditions for all residents.

Call For a FREE Consultation: (904) 295-1050

At Edwards & Ragatz, P.A., we have decades of experience fighting for victims of nursing home abuse, medical malpractice, and negligence. If you have questions about whether you have a case, we can help. 

Contact our nursing home abuse attorneys in Jacksonville, FL today by calling (904) 295-1050 for your free consultation.