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Tampa Nursing Home Physical Abuse Lawyers
Tough representation when nursing homes commit or fail to prevent physical abuse in Florida
It seems unthinkable that someone should physically harm a nursing home resident. Unfortunately, physical abuse happens all too often – by nursing home staff, people with access to the nursing home, and even by other residents. At MattLaw, our nursing home lawyers hold nursing homes and the physical abuser liable for any physical harm to a resident, including physical contact, physical harm because of the denial of fundamental services like medications, and the use of physical or chemical restraints.
Our Tampa nursing home physical abuse lawyers understand what policies nursing homes should have in place to prevent abuse before it occurs and to respond immediately when it does happen. We demand full compensation for your loved one’s medical bills, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life.
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- What is nursing home physical abuse?
- When should I suspect that physical abuse at a nursing home is occurring in Tampa?
- What are the causes of physical abuse in nursing homes?
- What type of harm does nursing home physical abuse cause?
- Who do your Tampa nursing home physical abuse lawyers hold accountable?
- What damages do nursing homes have to pay for physical abuse in Florida?
- How do you fight for nursing home victims in Florida?
- Do you have a Tampa nursing home abuse lawyer near me?
What is nursing home physical abuse?
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) defines physical abuse as including “hitting, slapping, pushing, or striking with objects.” Physical abuse in nursing homes also includes the improper use of physical or chemical restraints. Sexual abuse and “nonconsensual sexual involvement of any kind, from rape to unwanted touching or indecent exposure” are also forms of physical abuse.
The “intentional infliction of anguish, pain, or distress through verbal or nonverbal acts” may also qualify as physical abuse.
Other examples of physical abuse include being too aggressive with a resident and pulling too hard on a resident.
Physical abuse may also be a crime.
When should I suspect that physical abuse at a nursing home is occurring in Tampa?
Nursing home staff members have a duty to look for the signs of physical abuse. Family and friends should help residents by looking for the signs of physical abuse when they visit nursing home residents. Some of the signs of physical abuse of a Tampa nursing home resident include the following:
- Scars, bruises, or other injuries that have no explanation
- Signs of anxiety, irritation, or distress
- Staying away from people the resident would normally enjoy being near
- Mood changes
- Weight loss or weight gain
- Difficulty sleeping
- Being quiet, reserved, or withdrawn
- Hospitalizations
- The need for medical care
- Repeat injuries
- Sudden death
What are the causes of physical abuse in nursing homes?
At MattLaw, we thoroughly question everyone with knowledge about the physical abuse. We also consult with the treating physicians and may recommend that residents receive care from physicians we work with who understand elder care and disability care.
The causes vary depending on who is responsible for the physical abuse.
Staff members may physically abuse residents due to:
- An inability, often due to a lack of education or experience, to work with nursing home residents who often have physical, emotional, and cognitive difficulties.
- Substance abuse.
- Behavior that is antisocial or mean.
- A lack of patience.
Nursing homes may be liable for the physical abuse of their residents because they fail to:
- Hire enough competent staff members.
- Monitor their workers for signs of stress or
- Conduct background checks on their employees.
- Have policies and procedures in place to properly help residents who have cognitive disabilities such as Alzheimer's and dementia.
- Conduct timely investigations when there are complaints of physical abuse.
- Discipline employees who physically abuse a resident.
- Recognize who may commit abuse, including staff members, other residents, and anyone with access to the nursing home.
- Limit access to the nursing home.
What type of harm does nursing home physical abuse cause?
Our Tampa nursing home physical abuse lawyers work with physicians who regularly treat nursing home residents for all types of injuries, including injuries due to physical abuse. At MattLaw, we are ready to represent your loved one if they suffer any of the following types of harm due to physical abuse:
- Head trauma that includes concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries that include paralysis
- Fractured hips, legs, arms, and other body parts
- Burns
- Vision or hearing loss
- Bruises, cuts, and lacerations
- Tissue and nerve damage
- Nerve damage
Physical abuse may also cause residents to fall.
The abuse can include harm because a patient does not receive the medications they need, which can affect whatever underlying medical condition the drugs are being used to treat. Nursing homes should never allow any staff members to withhold the medications residents need.
Who do your Tampa nursing home physical abuse lawyers hold accountable?
At MattLaw, we generally file institutional claims against nursing homes. Nursing homes may be liable for any abuse their employees commit. They are also often liable if they fail to implement and enforce policies and procedures to effectively prevent physical abuse of residents – by staff workers, other residents, visitors, and contractors.
We may also file a civil complaint against the actual abuser.
What damages do nursing homes have to pay for physical abuse in Florida?
Our Tampa nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers fight to restore your loved one’s health and compensate them fully for the harm physical abuse causes. We demand the following compensation on behalf of your loved one:
- Medical costs, including emergency care, doctor visits, surgeries, hospital stays, medications, and assistive help
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Inability to enjoy life’s pleasures
- Loss of bodily function
- Any other financial or personal damages
We file wrongful death claims on behalf of family members if the physical abuse of a nursing home resident is fatal. Wrongful death damages include the funeral and burial expenses, the loss of financial support the loved one would have provided, and the loss of personal love and comfort the loved one would have provided.
In physical abuse cases, we often seek punitive damages because causing intentional physical harm is unconscionable.
How do you fight for nursing home victims in Florida?
At MattLaw, we’ve helped many nursing home victims obtain strong recoveries. Our Tampa nursing home physical abuse lawyers can:
- Answer the questions you and your loved one have.
- Work with the treating doctors to determine the best course of medical care and understand the full scope and severity of the physical and emotional injuries.
- Question everyone who can show the cause of the physical abuse.
- Work to show the nursing home should have prevented the physical abuse or is otherwise responsible for the physical abuse.
- Review whether the nursing home failed to comply with any relevant federal or Florida safety regulations.
- Work with the local ombudsman.
- Negotiate with the insurance company for the nursing home.
- Present your loved one’s claim in court.
We fight to secure the maximum compensation possible and to protect other residents from similar inexcusable harm.
Do you have a Tampa nursing home physical abuse lawyer near me?
MattLaw meets nursing home residents and family members at our Tampa, Florida office, located at 304 S Plant Ave., Tampa, FL 33606. We visit residents at their nursing homes, healthcare facilities, and other locations when necessary. We also consult with clients by phone and through online video platforms.
Our lawyers move quickly when physical abuse occurs to protect your loved one and other residents of the nursing home.
Talk with our experienced Tampa nursing home physical abuse attorneys now
No senior or disabled nursing home resident should have to suffer any type of physical abuse. At MattLaw, we hold nursing homes accountable if they engage in or fail to prevent physical abuse. We demand full compensation for every day and every way physical abuse causes your loved one to suffer. We have more than 35 years of experience fighting for nursing home victims and other personal injury victims.
Please call our Tampa nursing home neglect lawyers or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We represent nursing home victims and families of loved ones who died due to physical abuse on a contingency fee basis.