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St. Petersburg Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyer
Representing victims of nursing home abuse and their families in St. Petersburg
The decision to place a family member in a nursing home is often emotionally charged. It can be extremely difficult to realize that a loved one needs more constant professional care than a family can offer at home. Placing a loved one in the care of one of these establishments requires a great deal of trust. Unfortunately, these facilities often break that trust in tragic cases of nursing home abuse and neglect. When you suspect that a loved one is not being treated with respect or care, you need to contact a St. Petersburg nursing home abuse and neglect attorney to discuss your legal options. Your family member deserves more. Our experienced team of nursing home abuse lawyers can help.
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How we can help you
- Why choose MattLaw for nursing home abuse cases in St. Petersburg?
- Petersburg nursing home abuse and neglect frequently asked questions
- The prevalence of nursing home abuse in St. Petersburg
- Forms of nursing home abuse and neglect in St. Petersburg
- How to identify nursing home abuse and neglect
- Injuries and consequences of nursing home abuse
- What causes nursing home abuse?
- Do you have a St. Petersburg nursing home abuse lawyer near me?
Why choose MattLaw for nursing home abuse cases in St. Petersburg?
MattLaw has over 35 years of experience defending the rights of nursing home abuse victims. Our founder, Matt Powell, holds National Board of Trial Advocacy Board Certification in both Civil Trial Law and Civil Practice Advocacy. Matt is also Board Certified by the Florida Bar as a specialist in Civil Trial Law. Achieving board certification is a demanding process, and having a founding partner who holds these certifications sets us apart from other St. Petersburg law firms.
Board certification requires:
- At least five years of legal practice
- Serving as lead counsel in 15 or more contested cases
- Completing 50+ hours of continuing legal education
- Passing peer reviews and a written examination
Contact us for more information about our attorneys and MattLaw’s impressive record of handling nursing home abuse cases in St. Petersburg.
St. Petersburg nursing home abuse and neglect frequently asked questions
What’s the best way to report nursing home abuse in St. Petersburg?
In extreme cases where you suspect imminent harm to your loved one, you should contact emergency services. You can also report suspected abuse to local authorities, healthcare providers, and the eldercare company. Finally, if you even suspect abuse or neglect, you should consult a lawyer to discuss whether you might have a claim against the nursing home.
What evidence do I need to prove that nursing home abuse occurred?
Start by writing down what you’ve noticed and the issues that made you suspicious. Gathering documentation, including medical records and any accident or injury reports, will also be important. If there are witnesses, get their information. The more documentation and information you have, the better. Your attorney can help you know what to collect and how to gather information to strengthen your case. It’s important to speak to a lawyer sooner rather than later, as each case is different.
How can filing a nursing home abuse case help my family?
A nursing home abuse case can help your family recover compensation for the mistreatment of a loved one. In some cases, this may help provide improved care for the abused family member. The damages in such a case also include costs related to the abuse or neglect, such as medical bills and emotional distress to the patient. In particularly egregious cases, you might also be able to pursue punitive damages. Punitive damages are meant to punish the facility and those responsible for the abuse or neglect rather than to compensate the victims for their injuries.
Can I file a lawsuit if my loved one passes away due to nursing home neglect?
If your loved one dies because of neglect or abuse in a nursing home, you may be able to file a wrongful death case. A successful wrongful death lawsuit offers compensation for the grieving family, but it also holds the facility accountable for its actions. These claims can help prevent abuse of other vulnerable patients in the future.
However, it can be challenging to file these claims because many residents in nursing homes are in poor health. Nursing homes may argue that the patient’s existing medical conditions led to death and not their conduct. Importantly, these facilities need to meet a specific standard of care and are subject to federal and state regulations. The State Operations Manual explains residents’ rights under the law. If the facility violates regulations and the standard of care, it can be held responsible for the consequences.
How long do you have to file a nursing home abuse case in St. Petersburg?
In Florida, there is a two-year filing window for nursing home abuse claims. The statute of limitations is strict and will prevent most claims from moving forward if two years have already passed. There are some exceptions, but the bottom line is that you should reach out to a nursing home abuse lawyer as soon as possible to start the process and protect your claim.
The prevalence of nursing home abuse in St. Petersburg
Nursing home abuse is more common than many people realize. Prior to the pandemic, statistics suggested that about 10% of elderly adults experienced abuse or neglect. More recent numbers show that percentage doubled to about 20%. While many cases go undocumented, those that are recorded often involve abuse at the hands of care providers and nursing home staff.
One of the reasons this abuse often goes unreported is that families don’t know about the various forms of abuse and may not recognize the signs.
Forms of nursing home abuse and neglect in St. Petersburg
Abuse and neglect come in various forms. Here are some of the abuses that residents might face in these facilities.
- Emotional abuse: Some forms of emotional abuse include verbal assaults and threats. Isolation of the resident from social activities or contact with family is another form of emotional abuse that can take a serious toll on residents.
- Physical abuse: Physical harm is one of the most obvious forms of abuse, and unfortunately, it does happen in these facilities. Hitting, improper use of restraints, or rough handling of residents is unacceptable and can lead to severe or even deadly injuries, especially in vulnerable patients.
- Sexual abuse: Residents may be subjected to non-consensual sexual contact. Many vulnerable residents are not able to give consent, and others may be subjected to threats or force. In all cases, this conduct is inexcusable.
- Financial exploitation: Misappropriation of the resident's funds or assets by staff or caregivers for personal gain is another form of abuse.
- Neglect: Failing to provide necessary care, leading to malnutrition, dehydration, or unsanitary conditions, is a common form of abuse in nursing homes. Also, since many nursing home residents are on medication, failing to properly administer prescriptions is another form of neglect that can have dire consequences. Sometimes, the line between active abuse and neglect may not be clear, such as when there is a question of whether caregivers used willful deprivation of food and water as a form of punishment or if they forgot to provide care because of negligence. In both cases, they should be liable.
How to identify nursing home abuse and neglect
It’s not always easy for the residents in these facilities to express what is happening to them. Some patients might be experiencing dementia and have trouble communicating or remembering specifics. Families can look for signs of abuse even if their loved one can’t speak to them about what is happening. Here are a few possible indications:
- Physical signs: Families should look for unexplained injuries such as bruises, pressure sores, or sudden weight loss. While there might be a reasonable explanation for some injuries, families should be investigating when they see signs of harm.
- Behavioral changes: The abuse may cause a resident to display increased anxiety or fearfulness around certain caregivers. Another indication is if the individual is withdrawing from social interactions.
- Financial signs: Families must keep track of their loved one’s finances and look for unusual transactions or changes in legal documents that could signal exploitation.
Injuries and consequences of nursing home abuse
Nursing home abuse causes a wide variety of injuries and other harm. Here are some of the potential consequences.
- Physical injuries: Either abuse or neglect can increase the chances of falls, which could lead to fractures, bruises, and other serious injuries. Neglect can increase the chances of bedsores, infections, and severe illness. Harm from improper administration of medications is also possible and not uncommon. Overdoses, improper combinations of medications, and missed doses of important treatments can all lead to illness or injury.
- Psychological impact: Neglected or abused nursing home residents may develop psychological conditions, including depression and anxiety.
- Fatal consequences: Sadly, some nursing home residents die because of abuse and neglect.
What causes nursing home abuse?
Nursing home abuse and neglect happen for a variety of reasons. One of the most common issues is understaffing. Facilities may struggle to find qualified staff or try to save money by understaffing a facility. With a lack of personnel, the workload can become unmanageable for the existing staff members, increasing the chances of mistakes like missed or improperly administered medications. Facilities without enough staff also increase the stress on employees, making them more likely to lose their tempers while dealing with patients. In the case of bad actors who simply choose to carry out abuse, understaffing can make it less likely that such behaviors are noticed.
Inadequate training is another issue. Facilities that attempt to cut costs or that experience high turnover rates may not provide adequate training to employees. As a result, the caregivers may not know how to best protect and care for residents. When those in charge fail to exercise careful oversight of the facility, they must be held accountable.
Do you have a St. Petersburg nursing home abuse lawyer near me?
With offices in both St. Petersburg and Tampa, Florida, MattLaw is ready to meet you where it’s most convenient. Can’t visit either location? Contact us, and we can arrange to meet elsewhere.
Contact MattLaw to discuss your St. Petersburg nursing home abuse case
If you believe that your loved one is suffering from abuse or neglect in a nursing home in St. Petersburg, you need to speak to an attorney. Residents in these facilities have rights, but it is often up to their families to protect those rights. Contact MattLaw today for a consultation with one of our experienced St. Petersburg nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers.