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Tampa Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Serving Seniors and Their Families

Nursing home abuse results in serious and sometimes life-threatening harm to seniors in nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, and other types of long-term care facilities in Florida. It occurs much more often than it should, and elderly Floridians suffer injuries that could have been prevented. It is extremely important for older adults and their families to understand the risks of nursing home abuse, and to learn more about holding facilities, staff members, and other parties accountable for injuries resulting from nursing home abuse. The experienced Tampa nursing home abuse attorney at our firm can answer your questions today.

Currently, there are about 1.5 million people living in nursing homes in the United States. These residents are our parents, grandparents, and friends. They are also very vulnerable to the harsh reality of neglect and abuse of their caregivers. Kim Kohn of Kohn Law has extensive experience in defending clients against the atrocities of nursing home abuse. Her familiarity with nursing home abuse and neglect cases begin with her role as lead counsel in her former firm, during which she won over $20,000,000 in settlements for her clients.

What To Look For

Before entering your loved one into a nursing home, be sure to:

Ask for healthcare surveys and inspections
Review the contract
Review the arbitration clause in the contract
Ask questions about caregivers, such as ratio of nurses to residents

If your loved one is already in a nursing home and you suspect neglect, contact our Tampa nursing home abuse attorney at Kohn Law immediately. Ms. Kohn orders medical records immediately and brings in seasoned experts to evaluate these records. Kohn Law takes nursing home abuse so seriously that they have an LPN readily available to provide a professional opinion on abuse claims.

Signs of abuse and neglect include:

Unexplained bruises
Weight loss
Dehydration
Broken bones
Pressure sores
Poor hygiene such as body odor, food stains, and dirty fingernails

Take pictures of these signs of abuse and neglect. Speak to nurses and the nursing home director about your concerns and make sure to document all interaction you have with the staff. In Florida, the statute of limitations for filing a nursing home abuse lawsuit is only two years.

Nursing Home Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation

Physical Abuse: This includes actions such as hitting, slapping, or any form of physical harm to the residents. Some reports have emerged of staff members using excessive force or restraints in Tampa nursing homes.
Neglect: Neglect occurs when residents do not receive proper care regarding hygiene, nutrition, medication, and emotional support. In Tampa, it’s common to hear complaints about bedsores, malnutrition, and inadequate medical care.
Emotional Abuse: Cases of emotional abuse include verbal assaults, humiliation, or isolation inflicted upon residents. Such instances can take a toll on the emotional well-being of the elderly.
Financial Exploitation: Residents may be victims of financial exploitation, where unauthorized transactions, theft of personal belongings, or manipulation into altering financial documents occur.

Possible Solutions

Increased Monitoring and Reporting: Implementing stricter monitoring systems and encouraging the reporting of abuse can help in early detection and intervention.
Staff Training and Screening: Proper screening of staff members for a history of violence or abuse and regular training on elderly care and handling sensitive situations can minimize cases of abuse.
Legislation and Regulation Enforcement: Strengthening and enforcing laws and regulations that protect the rights of nursing home residents are essential. The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration can take more proactive measures to ensure compliance by nursing homes.
Family and Community Involvement: Families and the community can be more involved in the residents’ lives through regular visits and participation in nursing home activities. This makes it difficult for abuse to go unnoticed.

Contact a Tampa Nursing Home Abuse Attorney for Help

If you have concerns about an elderly loved one’s safety in a Tampa nursing home or assisted living facility, you should learn more about filing an elder abuse claim. An experienced Tampa nursing home abuse attorney can discuss your options with you today. Contact Kohn Law for more information about the services we provide to seniors and their families in Florida.

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