Tampa Unsanitary Conditions Attorney
Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Serving Clients in Unsanitary Conditions Cases
A nursing home facility has the duty to provide safe and clean conditions for its patients, allowing them to get the medical care and assistance they require. Unfortunately, the living conditions in some nursing homes may not be as good as others. The facility may not be as sanitary, which is not only disgusting, it puts the residents further at risk for illness and injury. If a nursing home fails to maintain sanitary conditions in its facilities, they can be held liable for any harm the patients suffer as a result.
If your loved one is living in conditions that are unsanitary, it’s a form of elder abuse and must be stopped. You need to speak with an experienced Tampa nursing home abuse attorney right away.
Nursing Home Sanitation Concerns
Because most nursing home residents are older, it creates the perfect storm for their immune systems to become weakened by the exposure to bacteria, viruses, and excessive germs. Unsanitary conditions and lack of proper hygiene can expose them to preventable diseases that could’ve been avoided had the staff ensured the nursing home was clean and sanitary. In many cases, the unsanitary conditions are not created by people who don’t care, but rather by facilities that have a shortage in staff or resources to keep up with the necessary tasks that would keep the facility sanitary.
Florida Statutes on Sanitary Conditions
Like other states, Florida has a statute on the books that is designed to protect nursing home residents in the state. Florida Statutes Social Welfare Section 429.28 is called the Residents Bill of Rights. It describes a number of rights that nursing home patients have, including the right to live in a safe and decent living environment that is free from neglect and abuse. If a nursing home violates this right by not keeping the facility safe and clean, and a resident suffers harm, there may be grounds for a civil cause of action against the facility.
Pursuing Unsanitary Conditions Claims
To proceed with a negligence claim for unsanitary conditions and a violation of resident’s rights claim, the plaintiff has to prove four elements. These are:
- The nursing home facility owed a duty to the resident.
- The nursing home facility breached the duty that was owed.
- The resident suffered damages.
- The breach is the legal cause for the damages the resident suffered.
Warning Signs with Unsanitary Conditions
Some conditions can be observed that are signs that the nursing home in question could have cleanliness issues. Watch for visible signs, including:
- Dirty restrooms
- Dirty bed linens
- Floors that are unclean
- Mold
- Nursing home staff does not wash their hands
- Insect or vermin infestation
- Clothes that are dirty
- Residents not being bathed regularly
- Food prep and serving areas are not clean
Illness can spread much easier in confined quarters, especially with elderly patients who have medical problems and compromised immune systems. The staff must be vigilant in keeping the facility clean and sanitary.
Retaining a Tampa Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
If you notice signs that point to unsanitary conditions when visiting a loved one in a nursing home, report it to the nursing home administrator immediately. Take photos that document the conditions you observed. If they fail to take steps to correct the issues, speaking with a Florida nursing home abuse attorney is the next step. At Kohn Law, we have experience helping clients whose loved ones have suffered from neglect or abuse in a long-term care facility. Contact us at 813-428-8504 to schedule a consultation.
