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Tampa Nursing Home Wandering and Elopement Lawyer
Our experienced attorneys represent injured nursing home residents in Tampa, Florida
At MattLaw, we understand how terrifying it is to learn that your loved one has gone missing from their nursing home. Nursing homes have a legal duty to protect their residents, especially those with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or other cognitive impairments. Unfortunately, wandering and elopement are serious issues in nursing homes, often leading to devastating injuries or even death. If your loved one suffered harm due to wandering or elopement in a Tampa nursing home, our legal team is here to help you hold the facility accountable.
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- What is nursing home wandering and elopement?
- Why do wandering and elopement happen in Tampa nursing homes?
- What are the dangers of wandering and elopement?
- Who is most at risk for wandering and elopement?
- How can Tampa nursing homes prevent wandering and elopement?
- How much is my Tampa nursing home wandering and elopement case worth?
- How can your Tampa nursing home wandering and elopement attorneys help with my claim?
- Do you have a Tampa nursing home wandering and elopement attorney near me?
What is nursing home wandering and elopement?
Wandering and elopement refer to situations where a nursing home resident moves around without supervision, either within the facility (wandering) or outside of it (elopement). These incidents can be particularly hazardous for residents with cognitive impairments who may become confused, disoriented, or unable to recognize dangers. The Annals of Long-Term Care reports that “up to 31% of nursing home residents and between 25% and 70% of community-dwelling older adults with dementia wander at least once.”
Wandering
Wandering happens when a nursing home resident moves around inside the facility unsupervised. While this might not seem as dangerous as elopement, it can still lead to serious harm. Wandering residents may:
- Fall and suffer broken bones or head injuries
- Enter restricted areas with dangerous equipment
- Become trapped in unsafe locations, like stairwells
- Interfere with other residents and create conflict
Elopement
Elopement occurs when a nursing home resident leaves the facility entirely, without authorization or supervision. This should be considered an emergency situation, as residents who elope can:
- Become lost or disoriented
- Suffer from exposure to extreme weather
- Be struck by a car while wandering into traffic
- Fall victim to crimes or accidents
Elopement can often result in severe injuries or even death. That’s why nursing homes must take strict precautions to prevent residents from leaving the facility unattended.
Why do wandering and elopement happen in Tampa nursing homes?
There are a variety of reasons why nursing home residents might wander or elope, but in most cases, these incidents happen because of nursing home negligence. Common causes of wandering and elopement include:
- Many nursing homes do not have enough staff to monitor residents properly. When caregivers are overworked, they might not notice when a resident begins wandering or exits the facility.
- Residents with dementia or other cognitive impairments require constant supervision. If staff members fail to check in on them regularly, residents can wander off unnoticed.
- Nursing homes should have security systems in place to prevent elopement, like locked exits with alarms, surveillance cameras, staff stationed at exits, and resident tracking systems. If a nursing home fails to implement these types of measures, residents can easily leave without detection.
- When a resident is first admitted to the nursing home, staff should assess their risk of wandering or elopement. If a resident has a history of wandering, the facility must develop a care plan to keep them safe.
- Certain medications can cause confusion or disorientation, increasing the risk of wandering. If a resident’s medications aren’t properly managed, they are more likely to elope.
What are the dangers of wandering and elopement?
Residents who wander or elope can suffer great harm. Some of the most common dangers include:
- Residents who wander can fall, suffer head injuries, or sustain broken bones. If they leave the nursing home, they could be hit by a car, attacked by an animal, or injured in another accident.
- Tampa’s hot and humid climate can be deadly for elderly residents. If a resident elopes and is left outside for an extended time, they can suffer from dehydration, heatstroke, or even hyperthermia.
- If a resident is lost for an extended period, they may not have access to food or water, leading to malnutrition and dehydration.
- Elderly individuals who wander outside alone can become victims of a crime, including assault, robbery, or exploitation.
Who is most at risk for wandering and elopement?
Some nursing home residents may be more vulnerable to wandering and elopement than others. Those at the highest risk include:
- Individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease
- Residents with mental health disorders
- Patients experiencing delirium or confusion
- Residents with a history of wandering
- Residents on medications causing disorientation
Because these elderly individuals can’t always protect themselves, it’s the nursing home’s responsibility to prevent them from wandering into dangerous situations.
How can Tampa nursing homes prevent wandering and elopement?
Tampa nursing homes have a legal responsibility to keep their residents safe. Some key steps these facilities should take to prevent wandering and eloping include:
- Conducting risk assessments for all residents.
- Implementing proper security measures, like alarms, locked doors, and tracking devices.
- Providing adequate staff to monitor residents.
- Training caregivers to recognize the signs of wandering.
- Developing individualized care plans for those at risk.
If a nursing home fails to take these precautions and your loved one is harmed as a result, the facility may be held legally responsible.
How much is my Tampa nursing home wandering and elopement case worth?
If a nursing home’s negligence led to your loved one becoming injured, you may be entitled to compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses, current and future, resulting from their injuries.
- Pain and suffering caused by emotional distress and trauma.
- Relocation costs if your loved one must move to a safer facility.
- Wrongful death damages if the incident resulted in your loved one’s death.
At MattLaw, our attorneys will work tirelessly to secure the compensation your family deserves.
How can your Tampa nursing home wandering and elopement attorneys help with my claim?
If your loved one suffered an injury due to wandering or elopement in their Tampa nursing home, the team at MattLaw is here to help. Our legal team can:
- Investigate the circumstances of the incident.
- Review the nursing home’s security and staffing policies.
- Interview witnesses and nursing home staff.
- Determine whether negligence played a role in the incident.
- Fight for compensation to cover your loved one’s medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages.
When we hold negligent nursing homes accountable, we not only secure the justice your loved one deserves but also prevent similar tragedies from happening to other residents.
Do you have a Tampa nursing home wandering and elopement attorney near me?
Yes, we have an office in Tampa, located at 304 S Plant Ave, Tampa, FL 33606. You can schedule an in-person consultation or a virtual appointment with one of our attorneys to discuss your case.
Dedicated nursing home wandering and elopement attorneys in your corner
Your loved one deserves to be safe, respected, and protected. If they suffered harm due to wandering or elopement in a Tampa nursing home, don’t wait to take action. MattLaw is here to help you hold negligent facilities accountable and achieve justice for your family. Call us today for a free consultation. We can review your case, answer your questions, and fight to protect your loved one’s rights. Let’s work together to make nursing homes safer for all residents. Reach out to schedule your free consultation with one of our Tampa nursing home abuse lawyers now.