Tampa Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
Do you suspect that your loved one is being abused by their healthcare provider? If so, consult with a nursing home abuse attorney in Tampa for help bringing the guilty party to justice for their wrongdoing.
Unfortunately, the elderly and other individuals who require medical services around the clock often need to be placed in nursing homes in order to maintain a certain quality of life. When this is the case, you should be able to trust that your family member is being properly cared for in their nursing home or assisted living facility. However, abuse, neglect, and other mistreatment are far more common in these settings than you might think.
When you have suspicions of abuse and you aren’t sure where to turn, contact a Tampa nursing home abuse lawyer at Anderson & Anderson. Our firm can assist you in not only putting a stop to the abuse in question but also recovering compensation from the abuser or the nursing home facility that was responsible for ensuring proper safety and care.
Examples of Elder Abuse You Might Not Know
We often think of abuse as being physical, and while this is often true, there are other types of abuse that also occur frequently in these establishments. Before we go into further detail about these types of abuse, it’s important to note that physical abuse can manifest in a number of different ways, some of which include:
- Unexplained bruising
- Burns
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Restraint marks
The other types of elder abuse you may not be aware of include psychological, financial, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect and healthcare fraud. Emotional abuse and sexual abuse signs might consist of social isolation, behavior regressions, unexplained sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and torn undergarments.
Your relative may be suffering from financial abuse if there is a sudden change in their will or power of attorney or unexplained withdrawals from their bank accounts. Neglect can sometimes be detected by noticing bed sores, soiled clothing and bedding, or extreme weight loss.
Furthermore, they may be a victim of healthcare fraud if they are being given too much or too little of their medications, if they receive several duplicate medical bills, or if it appears as though they are not being administered the services they are entitled to.
Are Bedsores a Sign of Nursing Home Abuse?
During a recent visit to a loved one staying in a nursing home, you may have noticed bedsores on their body. These sores are often painful, and they can cause serious health problems. Worse, you may be worried these bedsores are happening because your loved one is being neglected.
If you’re concerned a loved one may have been injured because of a neglectful nursing home, contact a personal injury lawyer who’s experienced with nursing home abuse lawsuits at Anderson & Anderson. They have the tools you need to determine whether your relative has been abused and what you can do about it.
What Are Bed Sores?
Bedsores, or pressure sores, are ulcers or damage to the skin. These sores occur when a patient is left in one position too long, whether that’s in a bed or wheelchair. If a nursing home resident is unable to move, nurses or other trained staff are expected to move them regularly, so these sores don’t develop.
When they do develop, they can become painful, and they may be difficult to overcome. Worse, these sores can become infected. That can be a deadly problem, especially if your loved one already has a weakened immune system.
Proving Neglect in a Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit
Because bedsores can develop due to neglect, you may have grounds for a lawsuit against the nursing home they were staying in. Staff members are expected to take care of the residents, and when they fail to do that, they may be held accountable for their actions.
Your nursing home abuse lawyer can be a vital part of this lawsuit. Your lawyer can first help you move your elderly loved one to a safer location, where they can get the care they need. They can also help you collect evidence, from their medical exams to statements from eyewitnesses.
Once you have the information you need, you may be able to file a lawsuit on their behalf. If your family member is unable to stand trial for their claim, you may seek guardianship for them. That grants you the power to file a claim on their behalf, while they get the treatment and care they need.
What to Do if You Suspect Abuse in a Nursing Home
A suspicion of nursing home abuse can leave you feeling infuriated, but your first step if you find yourself in this situation is to remove your loved one from the facility to ensure their safety. From there, you should make calls to both your nursing home abuse attorney and the Tampa police department to report your findings.
Law enforcement will be responsible for handling any criminal charges that may be filed against your loved one’s caregiver or the nursing home itself, while your attorney will work to build a civil claim against them so your loved one can recover compensation for their losses, including lost quality of life, medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and many other financial and psychological damages.
Consult with a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer in Tampa
Knowing your loved one is suffering can impact your family in harsh ways. But you need to know what your options are to help your loved one before you take action for their nursing home neglect.
If you are interested in learning more about how a Tampa nursing home abuse lawyer at Anderson & Anderson can help you get justice for your abused family member, reach out to our firm to schedule your no-cost consultation. You can do so by calling our office at 813-251-0072 or completing the brief contact form we have provided at the bottom of this page.