St. Petersburg Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Was your family member or loved one a victim of nursing home abuse in St. Petersburg, FL? The impact of nursing home abuse and neglect can be dramatic. An experienced St. Petersburg nursing home abuse lawyer at Lopez Law Accident Injury Attorneys can help you fight to recover fair compensation for medical bills, expenses, and pain and suffering.

Our lawyers have over 25 years of combined experience fighting on behalf of injured clients–and we’ve recovered tens of millions of dollars for our efforts in cases like St. Petersburg wrongful death, St.Petersburg medical malpractice, negligent security, premises liability and more.

Help is just a phone call away. Call our law offices in St. Petersburg, Florida at (727) 933-0015 to schedule a free consultation today or contact us online.

How Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys Can Help With a Nursing Home Abuse Case in St. Petersburg

How Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys Can Help With a Nursing Home Abuse Case in St. Petersburg

When you trust a nursing home to care for your loved one, you deserve to expect that their well-being will be a top priority. It can be devastating to learn that your loved one was subject to abuse at the hands of their trusted caregivers.

If your loved one was a victim, you deserve to be compensated. At Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys, we’re committed to holding nursing homes and healthcare professionals responsible for their actions.

When you hire our personal injury attorneys in St. Petersburg, FL, we will:

  • Investigate the circumstances of the abuse
  • Gather evidence and identify all responsible parties
  • Work to assess the value of your case
  • Hire experts and specialists when needed
  • Take steps to stop the abuse and prevent future abuse
  • Handle all negotiations with the insurance companies on your behalf

Learning that your loved one was abused is always painful. Our St. Petersburg personal injury lawyers are here to help your family fight for justice. Just give us a call to learn more about our skills and experience today.

How Common Is Nursing Home Abuse in St. Petersburg?

Studies show that Florida is actually one of the best states in the nation when it comes to nursing homes. Still, there are a total of 705 licensed nursing homes in the State of Florida, and only 65 of those assisted living facilities received top ratings.

Nursing home residents have rights under Florida law. They have a right to be treated with dignity and be free from physical and mental abuse. When nursing homes fail to respect these rights, they can be held accountable for damages.

What Is My St. Petersburg Nursing Home Abuse Case Worth?

The value of any personal injury case depends on its specific facts and circumstances.

Important factors in the valuation process include:

  • The nature of the harm your loved one suffered
  • The nature of the at-fault party’s acts
  • The cost of medical treatment and other expenses
  • How the abuse will impact your loved one’s emotional and physical wellbeing

The more severe the harm, the higher your settlement or verdict will likely be. Our lawyers can offer insight into the value of your specific case in a free consultation. Just call our law offices to learn more today.

What Types of Damages Are Available To Victims of Nursing Home Abuse?

At Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys, we know that an injury can have significant consequences–both immediately and over the long term. We’ll do everything possible to fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.

You may be entitled to compensation for economic and non-economic damages, such as:

  • Past and future medical expenses
  • The cost of relocating to a new nursing home
  • The increased cost of care
  • Your lost wages 
  • Counseling 
  • Rehabilitation 
  • Pain and suffering
  • Severe depression
  • PTSD
  • Emotional distress
  • Attorney’s fees and costs
  • Damages for wrongful death

Our lawyers will fight for the full range of damages you deserve. Just call to learn more.

Why Does Nursing Home Abuse Happen?

Nursing home abuse happens for any number of reasons. Some of the most common causes of nursing home abuse include:

  • Failure to properly screen nursing home employees
  • Failure to supervise and train staff members
  • Inadequate funding and understaffing
  • Poor management
  • Lack of oversight

There’s no excuse for elder abuse or nursing home negligence. If your loved one was harmed, we highly recommend speaking with an experienced lawyer right away. With our help, you greatly increase your chances of holding the nursing home financially responsible for your losses.

We Handle All Types of Nursing Home Abuse Claims in St. Petersburg, Florida

At Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys, we handle all types of nursing home abuse cases in St. Petersburg, including those involving:

  • Physical abuse
  • Emotional abuse
  • Sexual abuse
  • Financial exploitation
  • Nursing home neglect and abandonment

If you suspect that your loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse, you should report the abuse. Then, speak with an experienced lawyer who can help you hold the responsible parties accountable.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is perhaps the most obvious type of nursing home abuse. Physical abuse can include punching, kicking, slapping, and any other type of behavior that could result in physical pain or harm. It can also include the improper use of restraints.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional and psychological abuse can be as damaging as physical harm. Emotional abuse can take many different forms. It can include humiliation, threats, intimidation, and even name-calling. Unfortunately, the scars left by emotional abuse can be significant–and many residents are too embarrassed to report the abuse.

Sexual Abuse

Many nursing home residents are sexually abused, whether by their caretakers or fellow residents. Sexual abuse includes any type of unwanted or forced touching of a sexual nature. It can also include improper sexual comments and harassment. 

Financial Exploitation

Nursing home residents are particularly susceptible to financial schemes and exploitation. Nursing home staff members have an opportunity to take advantage of vulnerable older adults–especially those who suffer from memory disorders.

Financial abuse can include:

  • Theft of the resident’s personal property
  • Forging signatures
  • Opening credit cards in the resident’s name
  • Coercing the resident into changing a will or account beneficiary designations

It’s important to pay close attention to any unusual financial activity or transactions.

Nursing Home Neglect and Abandonment

Nursing home neglect can be active or passive. In some cases, nursing homes are so understaffed that caregivers are unable to provide the care your loved one deserves. In other cases, staff members purposely ignore residents and neglect their duties.

Nursing home neglect may include:

  • Failing to provide food, water, and medications
  • Failure to bathe residents 
  • Failure to move residents who are immobile
  • Actively withholding care
  • Abandonment 

Neglect can be just as dangerous as active and intentional abuse. If you believe your loved one isn’t receiving proper care, call our lawyers in St. Petersburg for a free case review today. We’ll do everything we can to help your family through this difficult time.

Signs and Symptoms of Nursing Home Abuse

The signs of nursing home abuse can be subtle. Many nursing home residents find it difficult to speak up and report abuse–sometimes because they’re humiliated and other times because they suffer from disabilities that prevent them from reporting the abuse.

Some key signs that your loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect include:

  • Bedsores
  • Unexplained fractures or bruises
  • Frequent falls or injuries
  • Personality changes, including becoming withdrawn or depressed
  • Fear of being around nursing home staff members
  • Staff that refuses to leave you alone with your loved one
  • Sudden weight loss, which can be a sign of dehydration or malnutrition
  • Poor hygiene
  • Unsanitary conditions in the nursing home
  • Unexplained financial transactions 
  • Pelvic injuries or bruising in the thighs or around the genitals

Detecting nursing home abuse can be challenging. If you suspect that your loved one is being harmed, it’s important to speak up. Our lawyers can help you take legal action and fight for the fair compensation you deserve. Just call our law firm in St. Petersburg to schedule a free initial consultation today.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Nursing Home Abuse in Florida? 

Anyone who was in charge of your loved one’s care can be held responsible for nursing home abuse and neglect. 

That includes:

  • Caretakers and nursing home staff
  • Doctors and nurses who may be guilty of medical malpractice
  • The nursing home or assisted living facility
  • Government agencies responsible for inspecting and licensing the nursing home

Employers can be responsible for the acts of employees on the job under Florida law. If your loved one was injured, our St. Petersburg nursing home abuse attorneys will do everything we can to fight for the fair compensation you deserve.

How Long Do I Have To File a Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit in Florida?

The statute of limitations in Florida typically gives you two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you wait too long to act, you could lose your right to compensation altogether.

Contact a St. Petersburg Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer for a Free Consultation

Was your family member or loved one a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect? A St. Petersburg nursing home abuse lawyer at Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys can help you fight for every dollar you deserve. Just call us (727) 933-0015 to schedule your free case evaluation today.

Visit Our Personal Injury Office in St. Petersburg, FL

Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys
700 7th Ave N Suite B St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 933-0015

We are available 24/7 to take your call; contact us today.

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