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Tampa Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

When you can’t be there yourself to provide day-to-day care for a loved one in old age, putting your faith in a nursing home is one of the few options that you have available.

If you suspect that you or a loved one may be a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, the injury law team of Abrahamson & Uiterwyk may be able to help.

With more than 100 years of experience practicing personal injury law, our Tampa nursing home abuse lawyers are committed to doing what it takes to protect our clients. Abuse and neglect are not normal. They are not ok. If you have questions or concerns, the time to act is now.

Not quite ready to speak with a Tampa elder abuse attorney? Not to worry. Below you will find useful information that will help you understand your rights and options.

Just How Big is the Problem of Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect?

Consider these statistics:

  • More than 90 percent of nursing homes in the United States do not have adequate staff to care for their patients.
  • More than one-third of licensed nursing homes in the United States have been cited for violations of elder abuse laws.
  • As many as half of all nursing homes admit to their patients experiencing abuse and neglect.
  • Due to these issues, more than 40 percent of nursing home residents report seeing or experiencing abuse, and more than 90 percent report seeing or experiencing neglect.

Are Tampa Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Necessary?

Tampa Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

The most important tasks of a nursing home neglect & abuse law firm is to protect your loved one’s rights. An attorney who understands these laws may be able to review the facts and circumstances of your case and work with you to determine your next course of action.

An injury lawyer will help you to determine if you have a case.

How Can Abrahamson & Uiterwyk Help?

Looking for nursing home negligence attorneys in Florida? You should know that with over 35 Years of experience fighting for the rights of personal injury victims, Abrahamson & Uiterwyk may be able to help you and your family during this difficult time.

What Constitutes Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect?

It is a tragic reality of our society that some people choose to take advantage of others who are vulnerable. This includes targeting elderly residents. Abuse can take many forms, and the National Council on Aging (NCOA) has identified seven specific types of elder and nursing home abuse and neglect:

  • Physical abuse – Intentionally inflicting pain or injury.
  • Sexual abuse – Fondling, touching, intercourse, and all other forms of unwanted sexual contact or harassment.
  • Emotional abuse – Verbal assaults, threats, harassment, and intimidation.
  • Confinement – Restraint or isolation without consent and without medical necessity.
  • Passive neglect – Failing to meet the basic needs of someone who is unable to care for himself or herself.
  • Willful deprivation – Intentionally denying access to nutrition, hydration, medications, medical care, family, and other needs and desires without consent.
  • Financial exploitation – Using coercion, fraud, or other means to gain access to a nursing home resident’s financial resources, or modify a resident’s estate plan.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect?

Due to the wide range of types of treatment that can be classified as abuse and neglect, the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect are wide-ranging as well. However, some of the more common signs that an elderly resident may be a victim of abuse or experiencing neglect include:

1. Unexplained Injuries

Unexplained injuries are among the most common signs of nursing home abuse. This includes broken bones, bruises, cuts, and welts. Such injuries may be the result of improper restraints, physical or sexual abuse, or failure to provide adequate monitoring and assistance to residents who have difficulty moving about on their own. While our bodies become more fragile in old age, this is not an excuse for suffering a physical injury in a nursing home. Nursing homes take upon themselves the responsibility to protect their residents from this type of harm.

2. Bed Sores

Bed sores (pressure ulcers), are common nursing home injuries that are generally indicative of either neglect or abuse. Bed sores result from lack of mobility. Constant pressure on sensitive parts of the body (such as the shoulders, hips, heels, buttocks, and back of the head) can cause the skin and underlying tissue to break down, resulting in painful injuries that get progressively worse over time. Reddened skin that does not turn white when pressed lightly with a finger is typically the first sign of a bed sore.

3. Frequent Infections

A high rate of infections can be a sign of nursing home abuse as well. Infections result from the presence of harmful bacteria, viruses, and other unwanted pathogens. If a nursing home resident is not receiving proper care, hygiene, and nutrition, his or her body will become more susceptible to infection.

4. Symptoms of Malnutrition

Withholding meals or abandoning residents who are unable to feed themselves is an all-too-common form of nursing home abuse. Malnutrition can put elderly residents at greater risk for other conditions as well, and as a result should be addressed at the first sign of a potential problem. Early symptoms of malnutrition include:

  • Delayed healing from wounds
  • Depression
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Difficulty keeping warm
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Fatigue
  • Frequent infections and delayed recovery from infections
  • Lack of energy
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss

5. Symptoms of Dehydration

Dehydration is another common sign of nursing home abuse, for the same reasons as malnutrition. Also like malnutrition, dehydration can present significant health concerns, particularly for older adults. If you or your elderly loved one is exhibiting the following symptoms of dehydration, you should seek medical attention right away:

  • Confusion
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Dry mouth
  • Dry skin
  • Extreme thirst
  • Fatigue
  • Fewer trips to the bathroom
  • Headaches
  • Irritability
  • Sunken eyes

6. Sudden Changes in Mood (Mood Swings)

Sudden changes in mood (mood swings) may be indicative of anxiety or depression, both of which are commonly associated with abuse in the nursing home setting. Nursing home residents who are typically jovial or free-spirited may become quiet or irritable, and those who are generally happy may suddenly become angry or temperamental.

7. Leftover (or Missing) Medications

Similar to withholding food and liquids, withholding medications is another form of nursing home abuse. Nursing home residents and their loved ones should document their daily medication regimens, and any leftover pills or doses of liquid medication should be viewed as a potentially serious issue.

Missing medications can be a sign of abuse as well. If a nursing home resident’s medications disappear ahead of schedule without explanation, this could be a sign of either theft or overdose by nursing home staff.

8. Declining Hygiene or Unsanitary Conditions

With respect to nursing home residents who are not able to fully provide for their own needs, declining hygiene and unsanitary living conditions will often be reflective of inadequate or abusive care.

9. Reclusiveness

Reclusiveness can be a sign of nursing home abuse, either as a symptom of depression or as a result of fear imparted by abusive staff members. If an elderly loved one who lives in a nursing home is unwilling to discuss his or her care or interactions with staff members, this may suggest that he or she is a victim of abuse.

10. Unusual Purchases or Financial Decisions

Along with physical and sexual abuse, financial abuse is a prevalent issue in Florida nursing homes as well. Common forms of financial abuse in nursing homes include:

  • Convincing residents to give “gifts” or make purchases online
  • Convincing residents to modify their estate plans
  • Forging residents’ checks
  • Stealing cash from residents’ rooms
  • Using nursing home residents’ credit cards

Aside from obvious physical injuries, this last sign can often be the most telling. In many cases, it has been discovered that nursing home staff members told patients not to talk about what they had endured, or even threatened them with worse treatment if they told their loved ones what was going on.

Regardless of the circumstances, abusers generally do not stop voluntarily. Protecting yourself or your loved one will require action, and it is important that you take action as soon as possible. Abrahamson & Uiterwyk is available 24/7, and we can act quickly to investigate your situation and help put an end to the abuse.

When is It Time to Consider Hiring a Tampa Nursing Home Abuse Attorney?

When it comes to possible nursing home abuse or neglect, it is never too early to talk to an experienced neglect and injury attorney. The sooner you take action, the sooner you can stop the abuse. At Abrahamson & Uiterwyk, we are available 24/7, and we can come to meet with you in person (and in complete confidence) to discuss your situation.

Considerations for Hiring a Lawyer to Address Nursing Home Neglect or Abuse

When you need help fighting back against nursing home abuse or neglect, it is critical that you put an experienced elder abuse legal team on your side. At Abrahamson & Uiterwyk, we have been standing up for victims since 1988, and our entire practice is dedicated to personal injury representation.

How Can I Help Stop Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect?

One of the best ways to stop nursing home abuse and neglect is to take aggressive legal action. If you do nothing, the situation will almost certainly get worse. An experienced nursing facility lawyer will be able to use the legal system to help you and your loved one seek protection, and to fight to win compensation for your physical, financial, and emotional harm.

The NCOA also recommends:

  • Having a cell phone instead of relying on a nursing home landline
  • Helping nursing home residents stay active in their communities
  • Knowing your rights when it comes to taking a stand against nursing home neglect and abuse
  • Limiting those who have access to nursing home residents’ mail, checkbooks, credit cards, and financial information
  • Making sure nursing home residents take care of their health
  • Making sure nursing home residents seek independent advice before signing any documents
  • Periodically reviewing nursing home residents’ estate plans for any unexpected modifications
  • Preparing healthcare directives or appointing a healthcare surrogate or power of attorney
  • Seeking professional help for drug or alcohol dependence or signs of depression – all of which may be symptomatic of abuse or neglect

The Abrahamson & Uiterwyk Guarantee: No Fees or Costs Unless We Win

With our contingency-fee representation, it costs you nothing to speak with one of our Tampa nursing home abuse attorneys. If you suspect nursing home abuse or neglect, we urge you to contact us 24/7 to discuss your case. We are here to assist you, and we guarantee that you will not be asked to pay a retainer, hourly rates, or any fees during the course of our representation. Remember, we only retain a percentage of your recovery if we win compensation, so if we don’t win, you don’t pay.

Do Not Delay in Seeking Experienced Legal Representation

When you contact us, we will answer your questions about elder law, and discuss representing you against the nursing home that is responsible for you or your loved one’s inadequate care. While our first priority is making sure that you and your loved ones are safe, we will also aggressively pursue financial compensation for the medical bills, pain and suffering, and other losses that your family has endured.

Service Area for Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Near You

If you’re looking for a personal injury attorney in Florida, we’re ready to help you. Here are just some of the areas we serve – see our office locations here:

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