Vero Beach Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
When you find out that your loved one has suffered nursing home abuse, you may not know where to turn or what steps to take. Fortunately, the legal professionals at Kogan & DiSalvo could use their knowledge and experience to help you and your loved one seek justice for your losses. Diligent Vero Beach nursing home abuse lawyers could investigate your case and determine how much compensation your family member may be entitled to based on their damages.
What to Do After Discovering Abusive Behavior
Families who suspect that a nursing home staff member abused their relative should act immediately to prevent further misconduct and injuries. They should report the staff member’s abusive behavior to at least one of the following agencies as soon as possible:
- Local law enforcement agencies
- Abuse hotlines
- APS (Adult Protective Services)
- Local or regional ombudsman
Families could also consult with Vero Beach nursing home abuse attorneys to explore their legal options. Not only is this type of abuse a felony, but the injured resident may also be entitled to financial compensation for their injuries.
Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations mandates the maximum amount of time a potential plaintiff has to file a case against the person or company that harmed them. As per Florida Statutes §429.296, the statutory deadline is two years in nursing home abuse cases, with some notable exceptions.
For instance, this legal time frame does not necessarily begin when the abuse initially occurred. Instead, the statute of limitation may commence when:
- When the care facility resident or their family realized that the resident had an injury caused by the abuse
- When the resident or their loved ones should have reasonably been aware of the abuse that caused injury
Another important exception to the statute of limitations is if there was an intentional misrepresentation or fraudulent concealment that kept the resident ignorant of their abuse. In these cases, the law may provide an additional two years to the statutory deadline. State law also establishes that someone may not file their case after six years, regardless of their circumstances.
If a case is not filed within the mandated time period, the injured claimant and their family may be barred from legally seeking compensation. Skilled Vero Beach lawyers with familiarity in nursing home abuse cases could work to ensure that their case meets the applicable statute of limitations.
Retaining a Vero Beach Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
By reporting any suspected abusive behavior at a care facility, you could protect not only your family member but other residents as well. Once you report your loved one’s abuse, your next step should be finding attorneys you can trust.
The seasoned Vero Beach nursing home abuse lawyers at Kogan & DiSalvo could be the legal assistance you need to bring your family member’s abusers to justice. If you are ready to move forward with your case, call today to schedule a free case consultation.