Tampa Financial Abuse Attorney
Tampa Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Serving Clients in Financial Abuse Cases
Many people think about physical abuse in conjunction with nursing home neglect, but financial fraud against patients is also a serious problem across the state. Elderly patients are often easy targets for abuse, including financial exploitation. Patients who have underlying health issues, like dementia, are especially easy targets because most times they may not even remember the abuse is happening. And, those patients who are aware that something might be happening may be afraid to report it or are concerned they might not be believed.
It does not matter what type of abuse your loved one has been subjected it, it’s important to get them moved to a safer facility and pursue those who have harmed the patient. You need to speak with a Tampa nursing home abuse attorney who can help you through this difficult time. At Kohn Law, we focus on fighting nursing home abuse throughout Florida and protecting patients’ rights.
Over 500,000 elderly people are victims of financial scams every year. This costs the elderly population around $3 billion annually. The elderly are bigger targets because they typically have more savings when compared to other age groups.
Warning Signs and Red Flags of Nursing Home Financial Abuse
Like other types of abuse, financial abuse in a nursing home can take many different forms. It can be outright theft of money, or forging legal documents. It may be hard to recognize when a loved one is being abused, but there are some warning signs that everyone should be mindful of. These include:
- Items and/or cash missing from the patient’s room;
- Unexplained withdrawals from the patient’s bank account, especially when a patient is disabled and unable to physically get to an ATM;
- Sudden bank transfers or withdrawals;
- Unexplained changes to legal documents, wills, power of attorney, trusts, deeds, etc.; or
- Addition of authorized users to a credit card or bank account.
Power of attorney fraud is one of the biggest scams that elderly patients fall victim to. While they are often committed by family members, nursing home caregivers are known to have scammed residents. It is a very dangerous situation because once the other person has legal power of attorney, they can do anything they want with the resident’s assets, property, savings accounts, etc. Sometimes a patient will leave the nursing home and the family discovers the patient’s assets have been sold off or transferred to a complete stranger.
Healthcare Fraud in Nursing Homes
Financial exploitation is not always limited to someone stealing from the patient’s accounts or assets. There is also healthcare fraud that takes place unfortunately as well. This is where providers are acting unethically and illegally. They may falsify patient information or overcharge and bill for treatment and services that the patient never received. Even if there is no other abuse taking place, you need to contact a Florida nursing home abuse attorney who can help you pursue a claim.
Contact a Florida Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
If you or a loved one has been the victim of financial abuse in a nursing home, contact Kohn Law at 813-428-8504 today to schedule a consultation. Let our skilled attorney help you through this difficult time.
