Florida Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys

Giving a Voice to Your Elderly Loved Ones

Each year, uncounted numbers of seniors living in nursing homes and assisted living centers are subjected to some form of abuse or neglect. Many of these cases are serious enough to inflict lasting harm or put the elder at risk of losing their life.

At Gunn Law Group, P.A., we believe in the importance of caring for and protecting our elders, which is why we are proud to offer aggressive legal representation for nursing home abuse clients in Tampa, Lutz, Odessa, and beyond.

Why Choose Our Lawyer for Nursing Home Negligence

We have been handling high-stakes and complex cases for injury plaintiffs for decades. Using our experience and insight, we can give a voice to you and your elderly loved one in your time of need through a nursing home abuse lawsuit.

Take legal action to set things right today. Call (813) 993-1448 or complete an online form to speak with a Tampa nursing home abuse attorney.

Many Faces of Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing home abuse and neglect can be the result of an intentional malicious act or the outcome of a mistake. In either circumstance, it is unacceptable. Elders in nursing homes and assisted living facilities depend on caretakers to do the right thing, act responsibly, and keep their wellbeing in center focus at all times. When this duty is set aside for any reason, the situation must be corrected, and the nursing home could be held accountable for any damages suffered by the senior and their family.

Nursing home abuse and neglect can be caused by:

• Physical abuse: Acts of violence carried out against an elder or dependent person in a nursing home are never excusable. Pushing, shoving, and hitting are commonly reported in cases of physical abuse in a nursing home. However, the threat of violence through shouting or other intimidation methods can be just as bad and also warrant a claim.
• Sexual abuse: Elders living alone in a nursing home are sometimes put in dangerous situations that leave them vulnerable to sexual predators. Due to mental health difficulties or memory problems, an elder might not even be fully aware of the fact that they have been sexually exploited by a caretaker or a visiting family member.
• Emotional trauma: Physical or sexual harm does not need to be inflicted upon an elder for a situation to constitute nursing home abuse. Severe mental and emotional harm can be caused by persistent bullying and insults.
• Financial exploitation: An elder’s finances could be vulnerable to exploitation while staying in a nursing home with dishonest caretakers or relaxed security measures. Caretakers or other residents may steal money out of the elder’s wallet or purse. In some situations, a visiting relative may coerce their elder to write checks in their name, lend out their credit cards, or even change their estate plan to benefit them.
• Neglect: In many situations, the worst harm that an elder experiences in a nursing home is caused through neglect and absentmindedness. Caretakers who lose track of the time or their duties may forget to bring meals or medications to elders in need, for example.

Assisted Living Negligence

Some families choose to provide their loved one with assisted living rather than placing them into a nursing home during their golden years. Assisted living facilities allow the elderly person to live in their own space and get assistance as needed for their lives. They are able to receive medical assistance such as coordinating with physicians, providing support, and monitoring of patients.

Many of these facilities, however, offer compromising care and neglect of their residents. Whether this is the result of a tight budget or lack of staff, neglect can cause substantial harm to the elderly residents. If your loved one is the victim of assisting living abuse or neglect in Florida, our team can provide the legal guidance your family needs.

Identifying the Warning Signs

Elders who need the services and care of an assisted living facility are often struggling with their mental faculties. As a result, they might not be aware of the abuse or neglect inflicted against them, or they might forget an incident soon after it occurs. Alternatively, a senior in a nursing home might be afraid to speak up and report the abuse.

Oftentimes, the responsibility of identifying and reporting nursing home abuse falls upon loved ones who communicate with or visit the abused elder. If you have an elderly loved one living in a nursing home, then you need to know what to look for.

Typical signs of nursing home abuse and neglect are:

• Unexplained injuries: Have you noticed bruises and scrapes on your elderly loved one that they can’t explain? They could be the first indication that they are being abused or neglected. Bedsores are especially telling of neglect, as they often form only after many hours of an elder being left alone.
• Malnutrition: Elders often have difficulties processing nutrients the same way they did when they were younger due to metabolism changes. They should not appear to be malnourished or dehydrated, though, no matter how different their diet is today.
• Fear of a particular person: If nursing home abuse is being inflicted by a single caretaker, then your elderly loved one might exhibit fear or paranoia when that person is nearby. Pay attention to their behaviors whenever a new person enters their room or the area.
• Financial losses: Ideally, someone your family can trust will be in charge of monitoring and managing your elder’s finances. If they report an unexplained financial loss, then it could be a sign of financial exploitation.

Our Florida nursing home abuse lawyers are standing by to help you. Call (813) 993-1448 or contact us online.