Signs of Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect
On Behalf of Fiol Law Group|Posted in Nursing Home Abuse on October 20, 2020
No family wants to imagine the possibility of nursing home abuse or neglect when it entrusts the care of an elderly relative to a facility in Tampa. The sad reality, however, is that not all nursing homes live up to the expected standards of resident care. Some try to save money through understaffing and cutting corners in resident safety. Others employ criminals who intentionally abuse, neglect and injure vulnerable elderly residents. Staying vigilant for possible signs of nursing home abuse and neglect could help you spot these wrongs and take swift action. Physical Signs Be on the lookout for one of many possible physical signs of nursing home abuse and neglect. Each time you visit your loved one or see him or her through video chat, pay attention to how your loved one looks. Make note of any new or unusual injuries, as well as the overall appearance of your… read more
FAQs About Tampa Nursing Homes During COVID-19
On Behalf of Fiol Law Group|Posted in Nursing Home Abuse on July 13, 2020
Florida has consistently had some of the highest case counts of COVID-19 since the pandemic began. Lax regulations from the state government, tourists visiting from around the world and the rushed reopening of nonessential businesses have contributed to the virus running rampant in Florida. As of mid-July, over 271,000 people in Florida have tested positive for the coronavirus. Over 4,000 victims have died. One of the most alarming aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic has been its impact on nursing homes. Nursing home residents are a high-risk group for the coronavirus. It is critical for a nursing home to upgrade its cleanliness and sanitation protocols to fight the virus, as well as take other steps to proactively protect residents. Unfortunately, not all nursing homes in the state are reacting appropriately. If you have a loved one in a nursing home in Tampa Bay during COVID-19, find out what you can do… read more
Florida’s Nursing Home Generator Requirement & COVID-19 Liability
On Behalf of Fiol Law Group|Posted in Nursing Home Abuse on May 18, 2020
Florida’s hot summers are not something to contend with without electricity. Temperatures can rise to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit and feel even hotter with humidity. Lack of electricity is much more than an inconvenience. For vulnerable parties such as Florida’s large elderly population, a power outage can be deadly. In 2017, 12 residents at the Hollywood Hills Rehabilitation Center died after the building lost power from Hurricane Irma. The next year, Florida lawmakers passed legislation requiring generators at all nursing homes and assisted living centers. What Is Florida’s Nursing Home Generator Requirement? Florida passed the Nursing Home Emergency Power Plan to combat senior citizen deaths due to overwhelming heat in power outages – a common issue due to the state’s history of hurricanes. The law requires facilities that care for the elderly to implement backup power sources in case of electricity failures. Nursing homes must purchase and install sufficient generators… read more
The Worst Nursing Homes in Tampa Bay
On Behalf of Fiol Law Group|Posted in Nursing Home Abuse on May 4, 2020
Trying to find a suitable nursing home for your loved one in the Tampa area can be difficult. Fortunately, all nursing homes that are certified by Medicare and/or Medicaid are regularly evaluated based on standards of health, cleanliness, and acceptable service to residents. However, even when nursing homes are held to such stringent standards, many fail to meet acceptable standards of care – and worse, some may be much lower in standards. What are the worst nursing homes in Tampa? With help from data visualization firm 1Point21 Interactive and data from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), we compiled a comprehensive list of the lowest-rated nursing homes and long-term care facilities in the Tampa Bay area (as of May 4th, 2020). The Worst Nursing Homes in Tampa According to data collected by CMS, we found 69 nursing home facilities within a 25-mile radius of Tampa. Of these 69… read more
How to Spot Nursing Home Negligence During the Coronavirus Pandemic
On Behalf of Fiol Law Group|Posted in Nursing Home Abuse on April 15, 2020
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had a drastic effect on a global scale. Thousands of people have lost their lives. Florida has had over 21,000 confirmed cases and 500 deaths as of mid-April 2020. The virus has led to many significant changes in the way Floridians live – including being unable to visit vulnerable elderly loved ones in nursing homes throughout the state. During the coronavirus pandemic, learn how to check on your loved ones in nursing home facilities to search for signs of negligence. Florida’s Guidelines to Protecting Nursing Home Residents Nursing homes throughout the country are on high alert amid the COVID-19 virus pandemic. National health officials such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that those at the highest risk of developing serious health complications from the coronavirus are older adults and people with severe underlying medical conditions. Under national health advisories, Florida nursing homes… read more