Hernando County Nursing Home Negligence Attorney

Handling claims throughout Brooksville and Spring Hill Florida

Nursing homes and assisted living facilities are notorious for placing profits over people, which is why there are numerous cases of abuse and neglect each and every year. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) has reported that 1 in 10 Americans 60 or older have been the victims of some type of elder abuse. The NCOA also estimates that there are around 5 million seniors who are abused every single year. They have also released reports that show other studies that suggest that only a small percentage of these abuse cases are reported to authorities – roughly only 1 in 14 cases.

At Whittel & Melton, our Hernando County Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys are here to advocate on behalf of those elderly abuse victims who reside in nursing homes or assisted living facilities in Hernando County. If you are a senior who has endured abuse or you are the loved one of a senior who has been the victim of abuse or neglect, we urge you to schedule a time to speak with us about your potential case. We are here to make sure that every detail of your case is investigated and the at-fault facilities are held accountable for their wrongful actions so that you can recover full and fair compensation for any suffering.

We Handle All Nursing Home and Assisted Living Facility Abuse and Neglect Cases

Abuse and neglect in nursing homes can be many different things, such as emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, or even financial abuse. Our Hernando County Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyers at Whittel & Melton are equipped to handle any harmful situations that arise at a nursing home or assisted living facility, including:

Slip and Falls

Nursing homes must keep their residents safe and their facilities free of dangers. This is their duty to make sure these obligations are met and when they fall short, seniors in their care can slip and fall and break bones or suffer severe fractures.

Bedsores

When patients are being cared for properly, bedsores are not usually something you see. Nursing home and assisted living facility staff must be trained appropriately on how to spot, identify, prevent, and treat bedsores, otherwise those in their care can suffer harm. Complications from bedsores can result in a resident’s death.

Malnutrition

When senior citizens residing in assisted living facilities or nursing homes are not cared for with proper supervision they can easily become malnourished. Malnutrition in senior citizens can lead to various health problems, such as weakened immune systems, poor wound healing, muscle weakness and decreased bone mass.

Medication Errors

Nursing home staff are responsible for handling every resident’s medication. When the overdose, underdose or even mix up medications, these errors can result in unnecessary injuries and deaths.

Choking

Seniors who have trouble swallowing are at a higher risk of choking, but with proper care from nursing home employees, this danger can be eliminated. Those suffering from strokes, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and esophageal cancer are most at risk for choking.

Breathing Tubes Clogged

Seniors in nursing homes that suffer from tuberculosis, bronchitis, pneumonia, pulmonary sarcoidosis, ALS, asthma, lung cancer, etc., may require intubation. Intubated patients are at the complete mercy of their caregivers, as they cannot speak, eat or drink without assistance. Careless mistakes can result in clogged breathing tubes, which can quickly result in serious injury or death.

Sepsis

Sepsis is the body’s response to an infection and when this develops, the body’s response works against itself resulting in organ failure, tissue damage, and in many cases, death. Sepsis is the most common reason that nursing home residents are transferred to a hospital. Sadly, 25,000 nursing home residents die every year due to sepsis.

Verbal Abuse

Verbal abuse is defined as bullying or making any comment or statement to another person to hurt their feelings. While verbal abuse is harmful to anyone of any age, this is especially true when dealing with the elderly who are quite vulnerable. Examples of verbal abuse can include yelling, making insulting or rude comments, threatening someone, and even criticizing.

Sexual Abuse or Harassment

Residents that are victims of sexual abuse or harassment in nursing homes may be fearful to tell anyone about what is happening to them, which is understandable. If you suspect your loved one is being sexually abused or harassed at their nursing home or assisted living facility, we urge you to take immediate action.

Wrongful Death

If a loved one passed away in a Hernando County nursing home or assisted living facility and you believe abuse or neglect is to blame, please contact us right away to learn more about what we can do to help you.

COVID-19 in Hernando County Nursing Homes

A crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic can truly bring out the worst in people, so we want you to know that we are here to help you and your loved ones during these trying times. Nursing homes engaging in unacceptable behaviors will not be tolerated.

As of May 27, 2020, the following facility’s have reported cases of coronavirus:

1. The Residence at Timber Pines

3140 Forest Rd, Spring Hill, FL 34606

1 Positive Resident Transferred

This is a time where we all have to pull together to just survive. If you have a loved one that is in a nursing home or assisted living facility in Spring Hill or Brooksville and they have failed to meet the CDC’s preparedness, prevention, and disease control strategies, we are here to help you. You can contact us today or call 352-666-2121 for a free case evaluation.