What Will Happen After You Report Nursing Home Abuse?

After discovering that your loved one is being abused in a nursing home, you know that you have to act quickly. Unfortunately, you may not know the next steps to take or how to file a report about the abuse. Any time an elder is abused in a long-term care facility, you may be able to file a lawsuit on many different legal grounds. Before even doing this though, you should report the abuse. Below, our Tampa nursing home abuse attorney explains how to report abuse, and what may happen after you do.

How to Report Nursing Home Abuse in Florida

One of the first steps to take after suspecting nursing home abuse is to file a report with the Florida Department of Health (DOH). To protect the privacy of residents, you cannot report abuse to the Florida DOH over the phone. Unfortunately, it can take a great deal of time for the DOH to investigate accusations of nursing home abuse. As such, it is critical to speak to a Tampa nursing home abuse attorney who can advise on the steps to take in the meanwhile.

What Happens After Reporting Nursing Home Abuse?

You should always report nursing home abuse as soon as you suspect it is occurring. The abuse needs to stop, and your loved one may even have to be removed from the facility if they are in immediate danger. After you have reported the abuse, three possible things may happen. These may include:

• An investigation: The Adult Protective Services Agency may start an investigation to determine if abuse or neglect is occurring. You should also contact a Tampa nursing home abuse lawyer who will conduct their own investigation and collect evidence to prove your case.
• A civil lawsuit: If the investigation shows that nursing home abuse and neglect is happening, you can file a civil lawsuit against the offending staff member, nursing home administrator, or both. Through a civil lawsuit you can file damages for your loved one’s losses, which may include medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more.
• Criminal charges: Nursing home abuse is against the law. The offending party may face criminal prosecution under either state or federal law. Criminal charges can result in the offending party serving jail time, paying high fines, and more. While a criminal case may not financially help victims and their families, it is an important step to hold abusers accountable and make sure they do not hurt anyone else.

Our Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in Tampa Can Help You Report Neglect

It is critical to report nursing home abuse and neglect as soon as you suspect it is occurring. At Kohn Law, our Tampa nursing home abuse attorney can conduct an investigation to determine if wrongdoing is occurring, collect evidence to prove your case, and help you through every step of the process. If you suspect your loved one has been a victim, call us today at 813-428-8504 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about your legal options.

Sources:

oppaga.fl.gov/ProgramSummary/ProgramDetail?programNumber=5058

mqa-flhealthcomplaint.doh.state.fl.us