Don’t wait to call us if your loved one suffered assisted living abuse in Tampa.
Abuse can cause devastating emotional and physical damage to a vulnerable senior in an assisted living facility. If your loved one suffered any injuries and damages due to abuse, you may have legal recourse to recover compensation.
A Tampa assisted living abuse lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help fight for the compensation you may be entitled to. We are dedicated to helping families whose loved ones suffered abuse in assisted living facilities.
Types of Assisted Living Abuse
Physical abuse is typically one of the more easily recognized forms of mistreatment, leaving clear signs on a senior’s body such as:
- Bruises
- Wounds
- Fractures
- Other physical injuries
Physical abuse can be anything that causes bodily harm to a senior and can include hitting, slapping, kicking, pushing, and other deliberate physical actions. However, physical abuse is not the only type of abuse that can occur in assisted living facilities.
Other examples of mistreatment of the elderly can include:
Emotional and Verbal Abuse
Despite not causing apparent physical injuries, emotional abuse can have an extremely detrimental effect on a senior in an assisted living facility’s health and well-being.
Examples of emotional abuse include ignoring a senior, humiliating them, or speaking to them in a rude and abusive tone. Signs that your loved one is suffering from emotional abuse can include a change of character, social isolation, and fear of particular caregivers.
Sexual Abuse
Unfortunately, the elderly can be targeted by sexual predators. Older adults with cognitive impairments are particularly vulnerable to sexual abuse. Sexual abuse can include any sexual acts with a senior who does not consent or cannot give consent, including unwanted nudity and taking photographs of a sexual nature.
Signs of sexual abuse can include suffering from sexually transmitted diseases, problems with walking or sitting down, and bloody or torn underwear.
General Neglect
General neglect can be abuse. If an assisted living facility resident does not receive the assistance they require, such as help with meals, personal hygiene, or other requirements, they suffer from neglect. The consequences of neglect can be devastating and potentially cause health problems such as dehydration, malnutrition, and other medical problems.
Financial Exploitation
According to the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, financial abuse of the elderly is a growing concern. Unfortunately, detecting financial abuse can be tricky and may require an in-depth investigation into the senior’s bank accounts, assets, and valuables.
Any abuse of seniors is unacceptable, especially in their assisted living homes where they should be safe and well looked after. If your loved one has experienced abuse or mistreatment in their assisted living facility, you should immediately take action. A Tampa assisted living abuse lawyer from our law firm can help to assess your case and pursue damages.
Assisted Living Facility Liability
Generally, an assisted living facility is responsible for keeping residents safe from abusers and sexual predators, whether they are visitors, other residents, or a staff member. The home should have procedures and security measures in place to protect residents. Unfortunately, assisted living facilities may worry about making a profit more than about ensuring the residents’ well-being.
You Could Have Legal Recourse
If your loved one suffered injuries and damages due to abuse in their assisted living facility, you could potentially hold the home to account. A facility can be negligent due to careless hiring practices, lack of training, lack of security, and other reasons.
You may need compelling evidence proving the negligence of the assisted living facility to win this type of case. A Tampa assisted living abuse lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can gather evidence to prove negligence as well as your damages. This evidence may include:
- Medical records of injuries
- Witness statements
- Medical bills and receipts for out-of-pocket expenses
- Assisted living facility records
Act Now
If your relative experienced egregious abuse in their assisted living facility, you should act quickly. Florida Statute §400.0236 generally gives victims and their families two years for filing a personal injury lawsuit against an assisted living facility. Filing too late can prohibit you from getting justice and compensation, although there are some exceptions that may extend the general deadline to sue.
However, acting fast can be important for other reasons. Gathering the relevant evidence such as a facility’s records and witness statements may be easier immediately after an incident.
Damages You Could Recover
If your loved one suffered significant physical, emotional, and financial consequences due to abuse in their assisted living facility, fair compensation should reflect this. You could potentially recover damages for:
- All medical expenses
- Psychological counseling
- Lost or stolen property
- Emotional anguish
- Physical pain and suffering
Depending on your particular case, you could also potentially recover other damages.
How a Tampa Assisted Living Abuse Lawyer From Our Team Can Help
If your loved one has experienced any abuse in their assisted living facility in Tampa, you could potentially sue the home and recover damages. However, standing up to an assisted living facility and its team of lawyers can be a daunting and overwhelming task.
You do not have to go through this alone. Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can be here for you during this challenging and upsetting time. We can:
- Assess your case and advise you comprehensively
- Help determine your legal options and next best steps
- Assist you with paperwork and filing a lawsuit
- Gather the relevant evidence for proving your case
- Negotiating with insurance companies and the assisted living facility
- Representing you aggressively at trial
Call Our Firm Today for a Free Case Review
Knowing that your vulnerable relative had to suffer can be heartbreaking. However, do not let the perpetrator potentially abuse other vulnerable elderly residents. We can help you fight to hold those responsible accountable for these egregious acts.
We work on a “no win, no fee” basis, so you do not have to worry about attorney’s fees. We only get paid if and when we win your case and you recover a settlement. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm for a free case review at (800) 842-6336.
Call or text (800) 842-6336 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
