Nursing Home Injury Lawyers
in St. Pete & Pinellas Park, FL

Injured in a nursing home 

If you have a loved one in a nursing home, your main concerns are likely their safety and well-being. Although a care facility should be the safest place for them, in many cases that is unfortunately not true and residents find themselves subject to some form of abuse. Those with reduced mobility or communication ability are particularly vulnerable because they are heavily dependent on others for care and often cannot escape the abuser.

How do injuries occur?

Elder abuse occurs when a caregiver or another person harms a vulnerable adult. Some abusers intentionally place the victim at risk while others negligently do so. Not only can staff at a nursing home be perpetrators, but fellow residents can as well. Financial abuse is in this category, it occurs where the perpetrator is obtaining funds from the elderly or vulnerable adult by threats, coercion, or simply taking them without consent.

Neglect occurs if there is a failure to provide necessary goods and services to a resident. This commonly is seen where staff fail to assist with eating and drinking, walking, activity participation, getting the patient a shower or to the restroom.   

These incidents frequently go unreported when victims cannot do so, are unaware, or fear getting themselves or the abuser into trouble. Further, staff may be overworked, insufficiently trained, or understaffed such that they cannot recognize the signs.   

What type of claim can be made?

Nursing homes are held to a high standard of care and the residents themselves or someone acting on their behalf can file a claim. Typical claims are: physical, sexual, verbal, and financial abuse. In addition to neglect, false imprisonment, and financial exploitation. Negligence may apply as well if there was a failure to keep the premises safe, lacking supervision, uncleanliness, poor medical care, or negligent hiring.

After suffering abuse of neglect at the hands of a nursing home, the victim can pursue a claim to receive compensation for their medical bills (past and future) and pain and suffering.

The laws concerning nursing home abuse and neglect are complex, however the experienced attorneys of Oldham & Delcamp are prepared to handle your claim. We will guide you through the process of seeking damages for the trauma you or your loved one have suffered.