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Tampa Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyer
Battling against nursing home abuse and neglect in Tampa
Families put their trust in nursing homes when their loved ones require medical care and support they don’t have the resources to provide at home. Sadly, vulnerable older adults may end up experiencing abuse at the hands of the very people meant to take care of them. When this happens, families need to connect with a Tampa nursing home abuse lawyer to discuss their options for fighting back and getting the support they need to provide for their loved ones.
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How we can help you
- Why choose MattLaw for nursing home abuse cases in Tampa?
- Frequently asked questions about nursing home neglect and abuse in Tampa
- Nursing home abuse statistics
- Common forms of nursing home abuse
- Signs of nursing home abuse and neglect
- Injuries resulting from nursing home abuse
- Why does nursing home abuse happen?
Why choose MattLaw for nursing home abuse cases in Tampa?
With over 35 years of experience, MattLaw is dedicated to protecting the rights of nursing home abuse victims. Founder Matt Powell is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law and Civil Practice Advocacy, reflecting his expertise and commitment to his clients.
Earning board certification is a rigorous process, requiring:
- A minimum of five years in practice
- Lead counsel in 15+ contested cases
- 50+ hours of continuing education
- Peer reviews and a written exam
Contact us today to learn more or schedule a free consultation to discuss your claim.
Frequently asked questions about nursing home neglect and abuse in Tampa
How can I report nursing home abuse in Tampa?
You may report abuse by contacting your local authorities, the eldercare company, or the resident’s primary care physician. In the most serious cases, you should call emergency medical services. Next, you should call a nursing home abuse attorney who can help you pursue your claim and protect your rights.
What is the statute of limitations for nursing home abuse lawsuits in Tampa?
In Florida, the statute of limitations for nursing home abuse claims is typically two years from the date the abuse was discovered or should have been discovered. However, some exceptions may apply, so it’s critical to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to ensure you file your case within the legal deadline.
Can I sue a nursing home if my loved one died as a result of neglect or abuse?
Yes, if your loved one passed away due to nursing home abuse or neglect, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This type of lawsuit seeks to hold the facility accountable for their negligence and recover damages for your family’s loss. It can be challenging to make a case for wrongful death when a person was in poor health and required significant care. However, if a nursing home or caregiver violated the standard of care to protect and provide for the person, and that violation caused the patient harm, you might have a claim.
Keep in mind that the law protects residents' rights and that the standard of care for nursing home personnel will involve many federal and state regulations that aim to protect nursing home residents. The State Operations Manual offers an overview of the regulations facilities face, as well as the rights of patients.
How do I prove a Tampa nursing home abuse case?
Proving nursing home abuse involves gathering evidence such as medical records, photographs of injuries, witness testimony, and documentation of any changes in the resident's physical or emotional condition. An experienced attorney can help you collect and organize this evidence to build a strong case.
What types of compensation can I recover in a Tampa nursing home abuse case?
In a nursing home abuse case, families may be able to recover compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of quality of life, and, in some cases, punitive damages aimed at punishing the facility for particularly egregious conduct.
What should I expect during a consultation with a nursing home abuse lawyer?
During your consultation, a nursing home abuse lawyer can review the details of your case, including evidence of abuse or neglect, the impact on your loved one, and any relevant deadlines. They can explain your legal options and help determine the best course of action to pursue compensation.
Nursing home abuse statistics
The number of elderly Americans who report abuse is, frankly, shocking. According to statistics, as many as one in five older adults experienced abuse in recent years, marking a sharp increase from pre-pandemic levels of one in ten. However, few cases are properly reported to the authorities. In many documented abuse cases, the perpetrators are staff and care providers at nursing home facilities.
While some forms of abuse are obvious, others may not immediately spark concern from families but rather may leave loved ones with an uneasy but unclear feeling about how the facility is treating their family member. As a result, it’s important to know what types of abuse could be happening and to identify the warning signs.
Common forms of nursing home abuse in Tampa, Florida
Nursing home abuse falls into many categories, including:
- Physical abuse: Intentional infliction of physical harm on an elderly individual, resulting in injury or discomfort.
- Emotional or psychological abuse: Involves using threats, harassment, intimidation, or verbal assaults to manipulate or distress an elderly person.
- Sexual abuse: Any non-consensual sexual activity with an elderly person, including touching, fondling, or intercourse, especially when the individual is unable to understand, give consent, or is coerced or physically forced.
- Neglect: When a caregiver fails to meet the basic needs of an elderly person, such as providing food, clothing, or medical care.
- Confinement: The act of isolating or restraining an elderly individual outside of valid medical reasons, restricting their movement or creating social interaction.
- Willful deprivation: The intentional denial of essential care, such as food, medication, or medical attention, placing the elderly person at risk of harm unless they have clearly refused the care themselves.
- Financial exploitation: The unauthorized use or withholding of an elderly person’s funds or assets by another individual for personal gain.
Identifying some of these forms of abuse can be challenging, especially if the victim isn’t able to effectively express what is happening to them. Such may be the case in situations where the family member has dementia or another condition that impacts their cognitive functioning. Learning the signs of abuse can help you take steps to protect your loved ones.
Signs of nursing home abuse and neglect
Families who visit their loved ones might have a general sense that something isn’t right. In those cases, they should dig deeper and look for some of the following signs.
Physical signs
There are a number of physical signs that may indicate abuse, including:
- Bruises, scrapes, and cuts may indicate physical abuse, improper restraints, or neglect that leads to unnecessary falls and resulting injuries
- Sores can indicate a lack of hygiene or suggest that the facility is not moving the patients, therefore allowing them to develop bed sores
- Poor hygiene, odors, and visible indications that the patient is not being bathed
- Loss of weight or dehydration that suggests the patient is not being fed or provided water
- Missing aids like glasses, walkers, and other resources the person needs can suggest neglect
- New sexually transmitted infections that suggest the person may have been sexually abused
Emotional changes
Emotional changes may appear even when there are no physical signs of abuse. Some things to look out for include:
- Anxiety and fear, particularly if it seems to relate to specific people in the facility or caregivers
- Becoming more isolated from family and friends
- Withdrawing from activities the person previously enjoyed
Financial red flags
Financial abuse will often leave a paper trail, but it’s important to know where to look.
- New and suspicious signatures on financial or estate planning documents
- Sudden increases or changes in spending that might suggest someone is using the resources
- Unpaid bills for the elderly person
Nursing home abuse can lead to devastating consequences for the victims. In some instances, it may lead to tragic results.
Injuries resulting from nursing home abuse
Here are a few common injuries a person might experience if a nursing home is not properly caring for patients.
- Pressure ulcers or bed sores from lack of movement
- Falls and fractures
- Infections and sepsis
- Medication errors
- Malnutrition and dehydration
- Death due to neglect
There are different causes for this type of abuse, but in all cases, the patients and their families deserve better and have the right to fight back.
Why does nursing home abuse happen?
Sadly, some cases simply involve bad actors who wish to cause harm. However, most situations are more about neglect or workers becoming frustrated. Understaffing is a major concern for nursing homes, which often struggle to get qualified people. When too few employees are caring for patients, it’s more likely that the ones who are there make mistakes, lose their tempers, or fail to remedy unsanitary or dangerous circumstances. With fewer people on the floor to report abuse, there is the added factor that those who do choose to cause harm are less likely to be caught. All of this can create a dangerous environment for patients.
However, if you believe that your loved one is being or was mistreated at a nursing home, you can fight back to protect them and to hold the facility accountable for their actions. MattLaw’s Tampa nursing home abuse attorneys can help.
Does MattLaw have an office in Tampa, Florida, near me?
Yes, we have an office in Tampa located at 304 S Plant Ave, Tampa, FL 33606. We also have an office in St. Petersburg. You can schedule an in-person consultation or a virtual appointment with one of our attorneys to discuss your case.
Contact MattLaw to discuss your Tampa nursing home abuse case
Nursing home abuse cases are tragic and lead to difficult decisions for families. Having an experienced Tampa nursing home abuse attorney can help you understand your options. You may have a claim against the facility, which would mean being able to hold them accountable for their actions while getting compensation to help support your family. At MattLaw, we’re dedicated to the pursuit of justice for victims of abuse. Reach out to schedule a free consultation with one of our Tampa nursing home abuse lawyers.