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Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect FAQ

Talk to Tampa attorney Armando Edmiston about your case

The idea that a loved one may be the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect can be very upsetting. You want to take action, but you may not be sure what to do next. You may not even be entirely sure that there is abuse or neglect, at least not that you can prove. Right now, you have a lot of questions. Perhaps you’re wondering what you should do if you suspect nursing home abuse or neglect, or when and how to report nursing home neglect. You’re in the right place.

At Armando Personal Injury Law, we know this can be a very confusing and difficult time. Attorney Armando Edmiston can help you get answers to your questions. He can also help you document nursing home abuse or neglect and will fight for your loved one’s rights. His first priority is to protect the safety and well-being of your loved one.

Some frequently asked questions about nursing home abuse and neglect:

If you have other questions or would like to learn more, contact us to schedule a free case evaluation. Attorney Armando Edmiston can give you honest answers and provide useful legal advice. If you decide to pursue a case, he can guide you through the legal process every step of the way and help you recover compensation for your loved one.

How do I choose a nursing home?

Family and friends may be familiar with nursing homes in your area, or you can visit Eldercare Locator. You can research facilities on the Medicare site, which gives overall ratings on each facility’s performance. You can also contact the Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman for more information. Visit the facilities that seem interesting and don’t be afraid to ask questions. It’s important to stay involved with your loved one’s care after you choose nursing home by visiting often and attending care plan meetings.

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How do I know if my loved one is being abused or neglected?

Your loved one may be unwilling to talk about abuse or neglect. Or, your loved one may be unable to communicate because of health issues. You know your loved one and you can tell if something is not right. Don’t dismiss those feelings. Pay close attention to your loved one at each visit and look for signs of abuse or neglect.

These signs may include unexplained medical problems, dehydration, malnutrition, unexplained bruising, broken bones or bedsores. Your loved also may be acting differently – for example depressed or withdrawn. If your instinct tells you something is wrong, don’t ignore it. Talk to an experienced nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer if you have questions.

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What should you do if you suspect nursing home abuse or neglect?

First, make sure your loved one is healthy and safe. Have your loved one examined by a doctor that you trust. Document any signs or symptoms of abuse or neglect that you notice. Notify administration at the nursing home about your concerns. If you don’t like their response, you can report the abuse or neglect to the authorities.

Next, call an experienced nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer to ensure that your loved one’s rights – and your rights – are protected. At Armando Personal Injury Law, we can review the details of your loved one’s situation and offer advice on your next steps. We can also answer any questions you have.

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Where and how should I report nursing home abuse or neglect?

If you think your loved one is the victim of abuse or neglect in a nursing home, take action. You can call the Florida Department of Elder Affairs abuse hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873). You can also call the local police department to file a report.

Then you can call an experienced nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer in Tampa who can fight for the rights of your loved one. At Armando Personal Injury Law, we know how to investigate cases involving nursing home abuse and neglect to identify negligent parties and hold them accountable. We can also help you take legal action to recover financial compensation for your family.

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Should I move my loved one to another nursing home if there is abuse or neglect?

If you learn that a loved one has suffered abuse or neglect at a nursing home, you may want to move your loved one to another facility as soon as possible. That is entirely understandable. That may be the best option, but there is also a lot to consider. You don’t want to move your loved one into a living situation that is worse.

At Armando Personal Injury Law, we can help you gather the information you need to determine if moving your loved one is the best thing to do. Our top priority is to ensure the health and safety of your loved one. If your loved one is being abused or neglected at the nursing home, we take steps to make it stop.

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What if my loved one doesn’t remember what happened?

Some nursing home resident have poor memories or difficulty communicating. Sometimes this is because of conditions such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. As a result, they may not remember any incidents of abuse of neglect. This can make building a case against the nursing home much more complicated.

Attorney Armando Edmiston has the experience needed to build strong cases. He will investigate and knows where to gather evidence. This investigation includes reviewing medical records, hiring and supervision records, and financial records. He also works with authorities and medical experts to try to determine what happened.

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How common is nursing home abuse?

Nursing home abuse affects thousands of families every year. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, 44% of nursing home residents said they had been abused, and 95% said they had been neglected or seen another resident neglected.

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Can you sue a nursing home for neglect?

If someone you love was injured or harmed at a nursing home due to abuse or neglect, you can sue the nursing home on behalf of your loved one. Every case is different, but in general you might be able to file a civil lawsuit to recover compensation for your loved one’s medical expenses, as well as their pain and suffering. Some lawsuits also include compensation in the form of punitive damages, which are intended to punish and make an example out of the defendant for egregious acts of negligence.

Whether your loved one was injured in a preventable accident or harmed intentionally, Tampa nursing home abuse lawyer Armando Edmiston and his dedicated legal team can review the details of your case, discuss your legal options, and help you figure out the best way to move forward. Our law firm handles nursing home abuse lawsuits involving bedsores, sepsis, falls, wrongful death and more. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation.

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Can you sue a nursing home for coronavirus (COVID-19)?

In Florida, you can sue a nursing home if the facility was negligent and failed to protect your loved one from the coronavirus (COVID-19). If you are the close family member of a nursing home resident who died after being infected with the coronavirus, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the nursing home.

A wrongful death lawsuit involving the coronavirus can be extremely complex, which is why you should let experienced Tampa nursing home neglect lawyer Armando Edmiston handle your case and fight to bring your family justice.

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Should I accept a settlement offer?

If you take legal action against the nursing home for the abuse or neglect that your loved one suffered, you may be contacted by an insurance company. They may have a settlement offer for you. The insurance company may say that it’s the best that they can do and offer quick payment if you accept the offer.

It can be tempting to accept, especially if bills are adding up and you feel you just want to move on. Their offer likely falls far short of covering all of the damages you suffered. We strongly advise talking to an experienced nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer before accepting any offer from the insurance company.

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How much is my nursing home abuse or neglect case worth?

There is no simple answer to that question. It depends on many factors – including the severity of abuse or neglect and the evidence we are able to gather. Many cases are resolved through a negotiated settlement while some go on to trial and are left in the hands of a jury to decide.

At Armando Personal Injury Law, we are committed to helping you get the best possible outcome in your nursing home abuse and neglect case. Attorney Armando Edmiston can review the details of your loved one’s situation. He will then explain your options and give you an honest assessment about what you can reasonably expect if you decide to pursue legal action.

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Why should I hire Armando Personal Injury Law for my case?

At Armando Personal Injury Law, our clients are more than just names on a piece of paper. We understand the physical, emotional and financial impact that a nursing home abuse or neglect case can have on victims and their families. We treat clients like family and are determined to help clients get the best possible outcome.

Our firm has the experience and the resources to build strong cases that get results. We thoroughly review records related to abuse and neglect, including the death certificate if your loved one died in a facility. Attorney Armando Edmiston has been helping clients in the Tampa area for more than a decade. He fights to hold negligent nursing homes accountable and stands up to insurance companies to help you recover financial compensation.

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