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Ocala/The Villages Elder Neglect Attorneys
No Fee or Cost Unless We Win
Whittel & Melton, LLC
510 Co Rd 466 #201W
The Villages, FL
352-369-5334
Statewide Toll-Free 866-608-5529 (5LAW)
Don’t Face the Judge Alone!
“One can never prepare themselves for the heartache and feeling of guilt upon learning of the mistreatment of their family members who needed care the most. Many Florida Nursing Homes do a very good job for their residents. Unfortunately, some Nursing Homes, who have placed profits ahead of patients, are rampant with abuse, mistreatment, ignoring and neglect of the seniors living in their facility. We take great pride in seeing that this misconduct is exposed and these corporations pay a fair sum for their errors and omissions.”
– Jason M. Melton, Florida Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
Ocala, Wildwood, Bushnell, Leesburg, Tavares and The Villages
Elderly Neglect, Harm and Abuse
Nearly six million elderly abuse cases are reported every year, which translates to one incident of abuse every five seconds. Florida’s elderly population is an estimated 4,200,667 with reports of elderly abuse coming in at 463,988. According to a 2010 elderly abuse study by Elderly Abuse Daily, five states account for one third of reported elderly abuse cases across the United States and Florida ranks second.
The true number of elderly abuse cases remain unknown because a majority of accidents go undetected or unreported by nursing home staff or victims. Many times injuries, illness or sudden death is blamed upon old age. At Whittel & Melton we can help you obtain the justice and fair compensation your loved one deserves.
If you have entrusted an assisted living facility or nursing home to care for your loved ones, you are not alone. One out of four nursing homes across the country is cited every year for causing injury or death to a resident. If you suspect the ones you care for have suffered injuries, poor health conditions or even death due to second-rate care at a nursing home or other facilities responsible for elderly care, the Law Offices of Whittel & Melton, LLC can examine your concerns. Reach us toll-free at 1-866-608-5LAW (5529) or call our 352-369-5334 for a free case evaluation. It only takes one phone call to start taking action against abusers and working towards financial justice.
Nursing Home Abuse and Injury Lawyers – Assisted Living Facility Neglect Attorneys Serving Marion, Lake and Sumter County, The Villages and Central Florida
Unfortunately, a majority of elderly care facilities lack the appropriate staff and training measures to bestow residents with the proper care. With the help of family members, our attorneys can rifle through medical records with consulting doctors and nurses to pinpoint possible areas of abuse. In some cases testimony will be needed to show how Florida regulations and laws were violated or professional levels of care were abrogated. Nursing home abuse is illegal and inexcusable on all levels; however there are a few theories as to why abuse occurs in such high volumes:
- Understaffed facilities
- Lack of abuse prevention policies at the facility
- Extreme patient caseloads
- Poor wages
- Tremendous overtime
The principal cause of nursing home abuse, harm and neglect is considered to be caregiver burnout.
Nursing Home Abuse—Know the Signs
Abuse has a variety of forms from financial and emotional abuse to actual physical violence and assault. Sadly, it is oftentimes the most fragile elders that fall victim to abuse. Residents suffering from disabilities, dementia and other vulnerabilities are often targeted because they are unlikely to report any abuse. Your loved ones could be embarrassed or scared to come forward and report abuse to the proper authorities, so family and friends should familiar themselves with signs of abuse.
Warning signs associated with nursing home neglect, harm and abuse:
- Physical Injuries like broken bones, fractures, frequent bed sores or reoccurring bruises, head injuries and medication mistakes or overdoses
- Neglect Harm such as malnutrition, dehydration, unsanitary conditions, soiled linens and inadequate hygiene
- Sudden Behavioral Changes including fear, withdrawal from previous enjoyments, crying spells, agitation, complaints and any other distressing emotions that show new patterns of behavior
The warning signs of abuse can be subtle, but by increasing your knowledge you can increase your chances of early detection and intervention.
Steps toward Success and Compensation
After you have removed your family member from the abusive situation and have reported the abuse to appropriate authorities, contact Whittel & Melton online or call us toll-free at 1-866-608-5LAW (5529) or dial 352-369-5334. Filing a lawsuit can do more than award you with just compensation; a lawsuit can punish and most importantly prevent the abuser from harming another vulnerable senior again.
Our office regularly handles cases throughout The Villages and Marion County, such as Ocala, Dunnellon, Belleview, Summerfield, Fort McCoy and Silver Springs. We also handle files throughout Lake and Sumter County, such as Bushnell, Webster, Wildwood, Leesburg, Tavares, Lady Lake, Clermont and Mount Dora.
Our attorneys are dedicated to protecting the elderly community. If your family member’s abuse caused injuries or death, please do not delay in calling our office for a complimentary consultation. The Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys at Whittel & Melton can explain the legal process to you and be truthful in what you can expect from your claim. We make house calls and hospital visits and are available nights and weekends.
At Whittel & Melton, we put your family’s best interests above all else.
Nursing Home Negligence Lawyers
510 Co Rd 466 #201W
The Villages, FL
352-369-5334
123 North Florida Street
Bushnell, FL
352-793-9330
Statewide Toll-Free 866-608-5529 (5LAW)