Putting a beloved relative in a nursing home or other assisted-care facility is not a decision that most people take lightly. In addition to questions about the patient's wishes and the financial outlay, many families wonder whether their loved ones are getting the competent and respectful care that they deserve. Unfortunately, those fears are justified by media reports of horrific elder abuse or neglect at a few Florida facilities each year. Despite strict regulation from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration and public outcries, a few employees continue to horrify the world by preying on the most vulnerable among us.

Because residents of assisted-care facilities often require help with basic needs, it can be difficult for victims to simply tell their loved ones about problems. Families with concerns should watch carefully for indications of elder abuse or exploitation, including:

• unexplained bruising
• bedsores
• listlessness or unresponsiveness from overmedication
• fear of being left alone
• consistent sanitation problems
• staff members unwilling or reluctant to communicate with family
• radical changes in financial behavior
• missing heirlooms

Abuse or neglect of the elderly and disabled isn't just a horrifying breach of trust -- it's also prohibited by Florida elder-abuse laws. You can and should report abusive homes and caregivers to the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, but for many families, that report comes too late. To hold the guilty parties publicly accountable, recover stolen money and win compensation for injuries to your loved one, you can also file a Florida nursing home abuse lawsuit. In a legal claim, you can win money to treat your loved one's injuries and place him or her in a facility that respects its residents' dignity.

If you suspect your elder or disabled loved one may be the victim of abuse or negligence in an assisted-care facility, please contact the Law Offices of Cohn, Smith & Cohn immediately. We will start working immediately to get your loved one the necessary care and bring the perpetrators of nursing home abuse to justice. We have more than 35 years of experience helping injured people in Florida, so we understand how to handle cases with substantial legal and medical complexities. And we offer free case evaluations, so there's no risk in speaking to us about your legal rights.

contact us online or call us at 954-431-8100 or 305-624-9186 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.