Wesley Chapel Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer

Senior lady abused by her caretaker.

When you make the difficult decision to place a family member in a nursing home, you expect them to receive the care and compassion they deserve. Unfortunately, not all nursing facilities and staff members treat patients as they should, which can result in nursing home abuse and neglect.

At Zervos & Calta, PLLC, our Wesley Chapel nursing home neglect lawyers are committed to helping you seek just compensation for the mistreatment of your loved one. Contact us today for a free consultation with an elder abuse attorney about your nursing home neglect lawsuit and to learn more about why our clients routinely leave us positive reviews and testimonials.

What Are Common Types of Neglect in Wesley Chapel Nursing Homes?

Nursing home neglect can take several forms, including physical, emotional, and medical neglect. Understanding these common types of neglect can help you identify whether your loved one may be a victim.

  • Physical neglect — This type of neglect in nursing homes includes inadequate hygiene, malnutrition and dehydration, unsafe living conditions, and a lack of mobility assistance. Individuals living in nursing home facilities frequently need help with their basic physical needs, and a failure to provide residents with these needs can constitute neglect.
  • Emotional neglect — Nursing home residents can also suffer from emotional neglect. This can take the form of social isolation, a lack of stimulation, and staff failing to acknowledge a resident’s feelings. For example, an immobile resident can become depressed due to a lack of social interaction if staff don’t help them leave their room.
  • Medical negligence — When staff fail to meet a resident’s medical needs, it can significantly affect their well-being. Residents rely on staff to administer medication, help them seek medical treatment for injuries, and follow their doctor’s directions. Without the assistance of nursing staff, a resident’s condition may deteriorate, resulting in lasting impairment or death.

What Are Signs of Neglect a Loved One Should Look For?

If you observe any of the following signs, it may indicate that your loved one is the victim of nursing home negligence:

  • Unexplained weight loss, potentially caused by malnutrition
  • Poor hygiene, including unkempt hair, body odor, or soiled clothing
  • Untreated or worsening medical issues
  • Lack of necessary medical or mobility equipment
  • Improper medication management, including missed doses
  • Unsafe living conditions, such as a dirty room, poor lighting, or infestations
  • Changes in behavior, including depression or anxiety
  • Reluctance to talk about the care they are receiving at the facility.

What Should You Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Negligence?

If you suspect nursing home negligence, you should report your concerns to the facility. The facility manager can take steps to make sure your loved one receives the care they need and address the issue of staff members neglecting them.

Additionally, documenting your report to the facility and the neglect that occurred or is continuing to occur will also be crucial. Take pictures and videos of the unsafe living conditions or your loved one’s injuries, such as bed sores. You should also keep a journal of your observations to identify a pattern of neglect.

In severe cases, it may be necessary to get the police involved. For instance, if your loved one has unexplained and untreated injuries that may be the result of abuse, not just neglect, you should report the matter to law enforcement.

Finally, contact a nursing home neglect and abuse lawyer. Your lawyer can advise you about the best course of action to protect your loved one. They can also devise a strategy to collect evidence about the neglect so you’ll be positioned to file a claim seeking compensation for the harm that was done to your loved one.

Senior woman got scared by her caregiver in nursing home.

How Do You Hold the Nursing Home Accountable for Negligence?

Holding a nursing home accountable for neglect involves reporting it to the Florida Department of Children and Families’ Adult Protective Services division. This agency will initiate a formal investigation into the nursing facility and staff.

After reporting the facility, you should consult with an experienced nursing home neglect attorney about your case. Your attorney will thoroughly investigate the neglect and gather additional evidence to establish the liability of the facility and staff. Establishing liability will be vital for recovering the compensation you need to get treatment for your loved one.

What Compensation Could You Recover in a Nursing Home Negligence Case?

You can seek compensation for economic and non-economic losses through a nursing home negligence case. Economic losses are those with tangible value, including your loved one’s medical expenses resulting from their neglect. Non-economic losses are those with intangible value, such as your loved one’s physical pain, emotional suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and more.

Seeking fair compensation for your loved one’s losses can be challenging, which is why it’s crucial to work with a skilled and experienced personal injury lawyer. A lawyer can calculate the value of your loved one’s losses and seek the compensation they deserve through a claim or lawsuit against the liable parties.

How Long Do You Have to File a Nursing Home Negligence Lawsuit in Florida?

Under Florida’s statute of limitations, you have two years from the injury date to file a lawsuit for nursing home negligence against the parties responsible for your loved one’s lack of care. Failing to file your lawsuit within this deadline will likely result in the courts barring you from taking legal action.

It’s crucial to begin working with an attorney as soon as possible. The earlier you consult an attorney, the more time they will have to build a strong case and file your lawsuit before the deadline passes.

How Long Could a Wesley Chapel Nursing Home Negligence Case Take?

A Wesley Chapel nursing home negligence case can take several months to several years. The timeline for your case may depend on several key factors, including the extent of the negligence, whether the case settles or goes to trial, and the court’s schedule.

Get Help from an Experienced Wesley Chapel Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer

When times are tough, your lawyer should be, too. Attorneys Angela A. Zervos and Lauren Calta offer clients more than 50 years of combined legal experience and a reputation for being accomplished trial lawyers who take an aggressive approach to dealing with insurance companies. Contact us today for a free consultation with a knowledgeable and compassionate nursing home neglect lawyer. We’ll handle everything surrounding your case so you can focus on your loved one’s well-being.