When abuse or neglect happens in a nursing home, those responsible must be held accountable. A Tampa nursing home abuse lawyer at Distasio Law Firm is here to protect your family, guide your next steps, and help you seek justice.
You can rely on aย Tampa personal injury lawyer from our team to stand up for you while giving you the Distasio Personal Touch. We’ll focus on your unique needs and develop a personalized strategy to help your family secure the compensation you deserve.
Why Choose Distasio Law Firm as Your Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer?
The founder of our law firm, Scott Distasio, has served the community for over 35 years, handling elder abuse and neglect claims across Florida. Our firm is known for:
- Compassionate, empathetic client service
- Aggressive, expert legal representation
- A relentless pursuit of accountability
We don’t just settle. We fight for what is right.
Choosing legal representation is a critical decision. You deserve a firm that’s independently rated, trial-ready, and deeply experienced.
Scott Distasio is a board-certified civil trial lawyer with an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, meaning that his peers have recognized him for both ethical standards and legal ability, which is an important distinction.
Sample Nursing Home Abuse Settlements
Every single case is different, but here are just a few examples of outcomes we’ve secured:
- $1.7M for choking death due to improper diet
- $750K for fatal dehydration and gangrene
- $450K for pressure sores and fall-related injuries
These results reflect our commitment to you and to accountability. You can review our case settlements and results to see additional examples of our work. Let a Tampa nursing home abuse attorney assess your case and provide realistic expectations based on the facts.
The Services Provided by Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Tampa
If you suspect abuse, our nursing home abuse law firm can immediately step in to help. You can rely on us to:
Explain Your Situation
We take the time to carefully assess your family’s situation so we can explain your next steps and what you should expect from the legal process. You can rely on us to answer any questions you have, so you can make informed decisions about your claim.
We know how to take action against a Florida nursing home for abuse.
Investigate Suspected Mistreatment
We can focus on investigating acts of abuse or negligence. The evidence we collect can strengthen your claim against a care home. Depending on your family’s situation, we may focus on:
- Taking statements from eyewitnesses
- Getting surveillance footage from the care facility
- Reviewing your loved one’s medical records
- Visiting the home where the abuse or negligence occurred
The sooner you contact us, the better our ability to preserve and collect critical evidence.
Assist with Legal Communication and Negotiations
Our team knows how to handle all communications with the long-term care facility, insurance representatives, and other lawyers. We can take over settlement negotiations for your family, potentially securing the funds you need to cover all the losses associated with neglect or abuse.
Help with a Lawsuit
We can also step in to assist you with a personal injury lawsuit if the insurance company will not negotiate in good faith. We have the training and the experience to confidently assist you throughout the process of litigation.
Our team can help you decide if you should settle your nursing home abuse case or go to trial.
Call today to speak with a reputable attorney. Our consultations are always free.
What to Do if Your Loved One Is Abused or Neglected in a Nursing Home
Once your loved one’s immediate safety is addressed, your next step should be legal action. A skilled nursing home abuse attorney can file a lawsuit on your behalf, pursue compensation, and help prevent future harm to other residents.
At Distasio Law Firm, we believe in holding wrongdoers accountable. Our elder abuse lawyers in Tampa fight for accountability, not quick settlements. Our approach includes thorough investigation, aggressive advocacy, and hands-on service.
Questions to Ask During a Legal Consultation
When meeting with a nursing home abuse attorney in Tampa, bring a list of questions, such as:
- How can we stop this from happening again? How do I make sure this does not happen to anyone else?
- Can I move my loved one to a safer facility?
- What types of compensation are available?
We’ll answer each question you have clearly and compassionately.
Types of Compensation You Can Recover
If your loved one suffered harm in a nursing home, your family may have a chance to secure fair compensation for:
A Loved One’s Medical Expenses
Acts of abuse or neglect can result in significant medical bills. The liable party may have to cover all the healthcare costs faced by your family. For example, you may receive funds to cover your loved one’s stay in a hospital, medications, and physical therapy appointments.
Pain and Suffering
We understand the non-economic effects of abuse in a long-term care facility. Your loved one may experience pain, mental suffering, and emotional distress due to the actions of their abuser.
We can determine a fair value for these non-economic damages and include them in your claim.
Lost Wages
We know that you may need to take a significant amount of time off work to care for your loved one after an act of abuse. The liable party may need to cover the wages you miss during this time.
Your nursing home abuse attorney will identify all eligible damages and pursue the full amount you deserve. No two cases are alike, so we tailor our strategy to your unique situation.
Nursing home abuse is a serious issue, and our lawyers are committed to pursuing accountability and compensation.
How Much Is Your Claim Worth?
The value of your claim will depend on the losses faced by your family and other factors. We need to carefully review your situation before we can estimate how much compensation your family could receive.
Our law firm will sit down with you and take the time to thoroughly understand the nature of the abuse or mistreatment your loved one experienced, so we can determine the correct value for your legal claim.
We Can Help if You Lose a Loved One Due to Neglect or Abuse
In some cases, mistreatment at elder care facilities can turn deadly. If you’ve lost a loved one, you can turn to us for compassionate help with a wrongful death claim. Generally, only the personal representative for your loved one can file this kind of claim.
Your loved one may have selected a personal representative. If not, the court can assign someone to fill this role. We can review your family’s situation and give you more information about your eligibility to take legal action against the at-fault party.
We know that filing a nursing home negligence lawsuit cannot bring back your loved one, but it may bring your family a sense of closure by ensuring that the liable party faces legal consequences for their actions.
Timeline to Resolve a Nursing Home Abuse Case
On average, nursing home abuse cases take 18-24 months to resolve. However, timelines vary depending on:
- Complexity of the case
- Cooperation from the facility
- Whether the case goes to trial
Throughout the entire process, your Tampa nursing home abuse lawyer will manage all communications, explain each step, and keep you informed.
Florida’s Deadline to File Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuits
Per Florida Statutes 429.296, you generally have two years to file a claim. The clock starts from:
- The date the abuse or neglect occurred
- The date it was discovered
- Or when it should have been discovered
Some exceptions may apply. Our senior citizen abuse lawyers in Tampa can determine the statute of limitations that applies to your case.
We can also do everything possible to expedite your claim as it moves through the legal system. We want to minimize the time your family has to wait to secure compensation for the losses you face.
Legal Fees and Payment Structure
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront. Our firm only gets paid if we win compensation for you. That also means we invest fully in your case from start to finish.
Ask us any questions about costs during your free consultation.
What Constitutes Nursing Home Abuse?
Florida Statutes ยง 415.102(1) defines abuse as any willful act by a caregiver that causes, or is likely to cause, serious harm to a vulnerable adult. Common forms of abuse include:
- Physical harm (e.g., hitting or rough handling)
- Emotional Abuse (e.g., yelling, humiliation)
- Intentional neglect (e.g., ignoring their needs)
We can discuss the specific forms of abuse your loved one faced when you reach out to us for a consultation. We’ll also focus on developing a personalized strategy to handle your family’s unique legal needs.
Let us, as your Tampa nursing home abuse lawyers, gather the necessary evidence and build a strong case to protect your loved one’s rights.
What Constitutes Nursing Home Neglect?
Nursing home neglect is another form of nursing home abuse. Florida Statutes ยง 415.102(16) defines neglect as the failure or omission on the part of a caregiver to provide the care, supervision, and services necessary to maintain the physical and mental health of a vulnerable adult. Some examples of nursing home neglect may include the following:
- Ignoring hygiene needs
- Failing to prevent falls
- Inadequate nutrition or hydration
- Poor medical attention
We’ve seen these heartbreaking cases before and know exactly how to prove them.
Can You Identify Abuse or Neglect?
You can learn to recognize the common signs of nursing home abuse and neglect in Florida so you can move quickly to help a loved one. Common signs of abuse can include:
- Falls and fractures
- Pressure ulcers
- Dehydration or malnutrition
- Sexual abuse
- Medication errors
- Elopement or wandering
If you notice any of these signs, immediately consult Distasio, a trusted senior citizen lawyer in Tampa specializing in nursing home abuse.
Note that abuse isn’t always blatant, especially if your loved one has trouble communicating or does not communicate at all. However, some warning signs to look for include:
- Sudden, unexplainable mood swings
- Unexplainable injuries
- Refusal to be alone with visitors
- Unhygienic conditions
- Rapid health decline
If any of this sounds familiar, don‘t wait. If something feels off, contact us.
Why Abuse and Neglect Occur in Nursing Homes
While many facilities provide compassionate care, others prioritize profit over people. That often leads to:
- Understaffing: Too few caregivers on duty means needs go unmet.
- Underqualified staff: Employees without proper training can become overwhelmed, leading to neglect, or worse, abuse.
Both issues put residents at risk. Our lawyers will hold negligent facilities accountable for these systematic failures.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
Many parties can be responsible for nursing home abuse, such as:
- The facility itself
- Individual staff members
- Outside vendors
- Equipment manufacturers.
If you need help conducting a comprehensive investigation, reach out to Scott Distasio immediately.
How Can You Prevent Nursing Home Abuse?
No one can totally prevent abuse of a loved one, but you can minimize the chances of mistreatment if you stay vigilant, ask questions, and visit often. And know the warning signs. Prevention starts with awareness and proactive communication.
If you ever suspect wrongdoing, document everything and contact our team right away.
Reach Out to Us if You Suspect Abuse or Neglect
Your loved one deserves dignity, respect, and safety. If someone treated your loved one improperly, let us help fight alongside you to make it right. A Tampa nursing home abuse attorney from our team can assist with all of your legal needs, stand up for your family, and always put you first.
Call Distasio Law Firm or complete a Free Case Evaluation form now. Your consultation is free and can be the first step toward holding those responsible accountable.
