Has someone you love been a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect in Tampa, FL? You may deserve compensation for your family’s financial and personal losses. An experienced Tampa nursing home abuse lawyer at Apex Law Firm, PLLC can help. The nursing home may owe you money for medical costs, pain, suffering, trauma, and more.
Our team is backed by attorneys with over 26 years of combined experience in personal injury law. We’ve recovered over $30 million in settlements and verdicts for injury victims across the Tampa Bay area.
Nursing homes in Florida perform essential services. When they fail to keep our loved ones safe, they should be held accountable. To learn more about how we can help, call our law offices at (813) 444-5212 in Tampa, Florida, to schedule a free consultation.
How Can Apex Law Firm, PLLC Help My Family Recover Compensation for Nursing Home Abuse in Tampa, FL?
If your loved one has been a victim, you deserve an experienced Tampa personal injury lawyer who will act quickly and aggressively. Evidence can disappear quickly. Witnesses may forget important details as time passes. Don’t count on the insurance company to offer a fair settlement.
Our team at Apex Law Firm, PLLC knows how to protect your family’s interests. We’ve recovered compensation for our clients in 99.5% of the cases we’ve taken on over the years. That’s a proven track record of success you can count on.
Specifically, we’ll help your family by:
- Conducting a detailed investigation
- Compiling the evidence you need to prove your case
- Ensuring the perpetrator is punished for their actions
- Handling the paperwork and insurance details
- Assessing your damages and case value
- Hiring experts to assess the long-term damage the abuse has caused
- Negotiating with the other side for a full settlement
- Taking your case to trial if the settlement offer isn’t fair
We’re here to handle any legal or insurance detail that arises. Call for a free consultation with our Tampa nursing home abuse attorneys today.
What is Nursing Home Abuse?
There are over 100 Medicare-certified nursing homes in the Tampa Bay area. Unfortunately, 49 of those nursing homes have received a “below average” or “much below average” rating. 10 are on the Florida Watch List.
Nursing home abuse can take many forms, including:
- Intentional acts of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
- Failing to provide necessities, like food, medications, and assistance with basic activities
- Medical malpractice
- Financial manipulation
Nursing homes in Florida are strictly regulated. Nursing home residents have the right to be free from any acts of abuse, regardless of the nature of that abuse. If you suspect your loved one has been abused, contact a lawyer who can help you fight to hold the facility responsible.
What Are Some Common Types of Nursing Home Abuse?
Our team at Apex Law Firm, PLLC handles all types of nursing home abuse cases, including cases involving:
- Nursing home neglect, whether active or passive. Passive neglect is incredibly common and tends to occur because of understaffing or a lack of resources. Active neglect can also occur when caregivers aren’t properly screened or supervised
- Physical abuse, or any type of intentional infliction of physical harm. Hitting, slapping, kicking, and the improper use of restraints all constitute physical abuse
- Emotional abuse where a resident in belittled, threatened, humiliated, coerced, or even intentionally isolated from their loved ones and other residents
- Sexual abuse, which can involve outright sexual assault, forcing a resident to witness sexual activity, or any type of unwanted sexual contact or communications
- Financial abuse, which is an often-overlooked problem for vulnerable adults. Financial abuse can include theft of property, forging a resident’s signature, unauthorized use of credit cards, identity theft, or changing a will or beneficiary designation
Nursing homes have a duty to take precautions designed to prevent any type of abuse. Still, nursing home abuse is prevalent both in Florida and across the U.S. Any type of abuse can give you grounds to take legal action.
Our Tampa nursing home abuse attorneys are here to provide the legal advice and guidance you need. Contact us today to explore your legal options.
What Are Some Common Signs That Point to Nursing Home Abuse?
Nursing home abuse often goes unreported. Your loved one may suffer from a cognitive disease that prevents them from effectively reporting the abuse. It’s also possible that they’re too ashamed or humiliated to tell a family member.
Some signs that you can watch for include:
- Frequent and suspicious injuries
- Marks around the wrists or ankles
- Sudden and unexplained weight loss
- Changes in behavior or personality
- Changes in hygiene
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Fear of speaking around a caregiver
- Caregivers who refuse to leave you alone with your loved one
- Unexplained financial transactions or changes
In today’s world, it’s important to take these and other unexplained changes seriously. Many nursing home employees have taken advantage of the trust that families like yours give them. If you suspect your loved one has been a victim, you can report the abuse by calling or filing a complaint online.
How Much Money Is My Tampa Nursing Home Abuse Case Worth?
The value of your personal injury case will depend on the severity of the losses your loved one has suffered.
Factors that are most relevant when assessing your case value include:
- The nature of any physical harm to your loved one
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation costs
- The cost of mental health counseling
- Damage to your loved one’s quality of life and ability to enjoy life
- The value of any income you lose to care for your loved one
After a complaint is filed, the nursing home’s insurance company may get involved quickly. It’s important to have a lawyer by your side during any insurance negotiations. Your lawyer can help you identify and value your damages and negotiate for a fair settlement.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Victims of Nursing Home Abuse in Tampa?
Compensatory damages in Florida are classified as economic or non-economic in nature.
Economic damages are the financial costs you have incurred, such as:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Nursing care
- In-home assistance
- Rehabilitation
- Property damage and restitution
- The cost of relocating to a safe facility
Non-economic damages represent more personal losses the victim suffers, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Depression
- PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
- Fear and anxiety
- Reduced life expectancy
- Physical disfigurement or scarring
Punitive damages are available in cases involving intentional wrongdoing or gross negligence.
Regardless of the circumstances, our Tampa nursing home abuse attorneys can help you fight for every dollar you deserve. Contact our legal team to start fighting for justice today.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Lawyer to Handle a Nursing Home Abuse Case in Florida?
You can hire Apex Law Firm, PLLC on a contingency fee basis. That means you won’t pay an upfront fee. Instead, the amount you pay depends entirely on the amount of compensation your lawyer recovers in your case.
At the outset, you’ll sign a contingency fee agreement when you decide to hire us. That agreement will specify the percentage of your settlement or verdict that will be used to cover attorneys’ fees.
Nursing Home Abuse Can Leave Victims Struggling With Lasting Injuries
Victims of nursing home abuse can struggle with life-altering consequences, which may include:
- Broken bones, concussions, and other brain injuries caused by fall accidents
- Bed sores, which can lead to infection
- Medical issues caused by malnutrition or dehydration
- Worsening of an underlying medical condition due to failure to diagnose or failure to provide proper medical treatment
- Blood clots
- Adverse drug interactions
- Severe depression and other mental health issues
- Fear and anxiety disorders
- Financial instability
All cases are unique, and all victims will suffer differently. Your family deserves compensation for any harm that arises due to the abuse and neglect.
How Do I Prove My Family Deserves Compensation for Nursing Home Abuse in Florida?
The perpetrator of the abuse can be held responsible for their own wrongdoing.
Many types of evidence can be used to establish liability, including:
- Statements from other caregivers, residents, and visitors
- Evidence of physical harm
- Medical records
- Bank records and other evidence of financial exploitation
Nursing homes can be held financially accountable for the actions of their employees. Often, abuse occurs because a facility fails to conduct proper background checks or fails to properly supervise caregivers.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit Alleging Nursing Home Abuse in Florida?
In most cases, the statute of limitations gives you two years to file a lawsuit in Florida. After the two-year deadline passes, you can lose your right to damages entirely.
Contact a Tampa Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Is your family struggling in the wake of abuse? Consult an experienced Tampa nursing home abuse attorney who can advocate on your behalf. Our team at Apex Law Firm, PLLC knows how to help you get the maximum compensation possible for your suffering. Your consultation is free, so reach out to arrange a time to talk today.