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Malpractice Center

Best Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers in Tampa, FL (2026)

To rank Tampa nursing home neglect lawyers, this evidence-based 2026 list looks at their practice focus and published results, plus reviews and professional standing.

Sources checked

5 lawyers and firms

Downtown Tampa, Florida skyline
Photo: Clément Bardot, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The short answer

Because Abrahamson & Uiterwyk publishes a nursing home bedsore result and has a substantial record of client reviews, it leads this list. Check whether the firm has handled injuries like your loved one's before you call. Find out how fees work and who'll handle the file. To learn whether medical negligence rules apply to your claim, ask a Florida lawyer about our Florida guide.

At a glance

  1. 1Abrahamson & UiterwykFree consultation4.9 out of 5
  2. 2Fernandez FirmFree consultation5.0 out of 5
  3. 3Percy MartinezFree consultation4.9 out of 5
  4. 4Farah & FarahFree consultation4.9 out of 5
  5. 5Darrigo & DiazFree consultation4.9 out of 5

Best Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers in Tampa

  1. Open spot. Feature your firm in TampaFor lawyers
  2. Abrahamson & Uiterwyk logo1

    Abrahamson & Uiterwyk

    4.9701 Google reviewsRated 4.9 out of 5 on Google from 701 reviews

    Best for: Bedsore claims and family communication

    For a Pasco County resident who developed bedsores on his leg, Abrahamson & Uiterwyk publishes a $725,000 nursing home result. With that case, the firm shows work directly involving nursing home neglect. A $500,000 Hillsborough County claim involving improper blood used in a transfusion also appears among the firm's published medical malpractice results.

    CallWebsiteFree case reviewIs this your firm?
    How they were picked

    Stood out in our review for the recognition it has earned and the results it publishes.

    We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made

  3. Fernandez Firm logo2

    Fernandez Firm

    5.014 Google reviewsRated 5.0 out of 5 on Google from 14 reviews

    Best for: Severe pressure injuries

    For families dealing with severe bedsores, Fernandez Firm's published $1.1 million result involving a Tampa hospital patient with a Stage IV pressure injury is relevant. When a nursing home resident's avoidable bedsores became infected and caused his death, his widow received a settlement described on the firm's site. The firm names Frank F. Fernandez, III and Jennifer Gentry Fernandez as its attorneys.

    CallWebsiteFree case reviewIs this your firm?
    How they were picked

    Stood out in our review for the results it publishes and the recognition it has earned.

    We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made

  4. Percy Martinez logo3

    Percy Martinez

    4.939 Google reviewsRated 4.9 out of 5 on Google from 39 reviews

    Best for: Medical negligence-focused representation

    With nursing home negligence expressly listed, Percy Martinez's practice centers on medical malpractice. For families concerned about medical treatment within a care facility, that focus helps explain why the firm appears here. In a case involving wrong-site marking photographed by an operating room technician, the firm's site publishes an $8.4 million settlement.

    CallWebsiteFree case reviewIs this your firm?
    How they were picked

    Stood out in our review for how much of its work is medical malpractice and the recognition it has earned.

    We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made

  5. Not sure who to call first?

    Tell us what happened. A malpractice lawyer who serves Tampa can look at it with you, and it costs nothing.

  6. Farah & Farah logo4

    Farah & Farah

    4.9814 Google reviewsRated 4.9 out of 5 on Google from 814 reviews

    Best for: Neglect involving inadequate bedsore care

    Since its founding in 1979, Farah & Farah has built a long operating history. In its published cases, one nursing home resident didn't receive adequate heel protection and monitoring; another developed bedsores after the treatment fell short. A recovery amount isn't given in either description.

    CallWebsiteFree case reviewIs this your firm?
    How they were picked

    Stood out in our review for its years of experience and what its clients say.

    We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made

  7. Darrigo & Diaz logo5

    Darrigo & Diaz

    4.9532 Google reviewsRated 4.9 out of 5 on Google from 532 reviews

    Best for: Spanish-speaking families seeking clear updates

    According to recurring client feedback, Darrigo & Diaz takes time to explain things clearly while keeping people informed about their cases. When your family is trying to understand a care facility's records, that feedback may matter. Founded in 1999, the Tampa firm also lists Spanish.

    CallWebsiteFree case reviewIs this your firm?
    How they were picked

    Stood out in our review for the recognition it has earned and what its clients say.

    We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made

Where they are in Tampa

A few minutes that might help

Questions about your own case?
How a malpractice claim usually moves in Florida

  1. 1.Something went wrong

    Write down dates and names while they're fresh.

  2. 2.Get your records

    Ask for your full chart and test results.

  3. 3.Free case review

    A lawyer looks at what happened, free.

  4. 4.Medical opinion

    A doctor checks whether the care fell short.

  5. 5.Notice before suing

    Some places need a notice before a claim.

  6. 6.File before the deadline

    Your lawyer starts the claim before the deadline.

  7. 7.Settlement or trial

    Many claims settle. Some go to a judge or jury.

Your deadline: 2 years from when you found outRead the Florida law guide

Each step in more detail

  1. Review the events and deadline

    While reviewing what happened, the lawyer checks the dates. With an outer limit of 4 years, Florida's medical malpractice deadline is 2 years from the incident or discovery. Before relying on those rules, ask whether they cover the nursing home claim.

  2. Investigate the care

    The claimant must make a reasonable investigation before filing suit for medical negligence. Before proceeding, ask which care records the lawyer needs and how a qualified medical expert will assess the treatment described in them.

  3. Prepare the notice of intent

    To corroborate a medical negligence claim's notice of intent, a qualified medical expert must provide a verified written opinion. Before proceeding, have the lawyer explain in plain language what's involved in that opinion and how the notice process works.

  4. File the complaint

    The lawyer files a complaint within the applicable deadline if the claim goes forward. Filing that document starts the lawsuit. Rather than apply the adult limits yourself, ask about Florida's exception involving the eighth birthday if you're bringing a claim for a child.

  5. Address resolution and damages

    Whether a claim ends in a settlement or verdict, firms here publish results of both kinds. Damage caps aren't enforced in Florida. For medical negligence wrongful death claims, though, the law restricts who can recover non-economic damages.

Malpractice claims in Tampa: the rules that matter

The filing deadline in Florida
  1. The clock startsWhen you found out, or should have
  2. Time to start a claim2 yearsMiss it and the claim is usually lost.
  3. At the very most4 yearsafter the treatment, with a few exceptions
  • Expert paperworkBefore suing, the claimant must make a reasonable investigation, and the notice of intent must be corroborated by a verified written opinion of a qualified medical expert.

Read the Florida law guideWork out your own deadline

Local hospitals

Star ratings from CMS Care Compare. Look up a hospital

Filing deadline for most malpractice claims in Florida
2 years
Source
Outer limit (statute of repose)
4 years
Source
Hospitals near Tampa with a CMS star rating
6
Source

What a malpractice lawyer costs in Tampa

  1. The first callOften free. Ask before you book.
  2. A written agreementThe share the lawyer takes, set out before work starts.
  3. If you recover moneyThe agreed share and the case costs come out of it.
  4. If the claim failsNo legal fee on a contingency agreement. Ask about costs.
Contingency is how most firms here say they work. If the claim fails, the lawyer receives no attorney fee; if there's a recovery, the lawyer gets a share. Along with court fees, the expense of obtaining records and medical opinions counts as case costs, separate from the attorney fee. Before agreeing, ask when the firm deducts those costs and whether it advances them. Because the fee arrangement alone doesn't answer it, you also need to ask whether you could owe costs without a recovery. Before you sign, get a written explanation of how costs affect the amount left for the client and what share the lawyer receives. Even with a free consultation, the whole case isn't free.

According to nine of the ten firms, the consultation is free. Contingency is how eight say they handle claims.

What to bring to your first call

  • Any treatment records you already have for the resident, along with the care chart
  • When your family first learned of the injury, along with the injury dates
  • Names of the care providers involved, along with the facility's name
  • If you know when they were taken, dated photos of bedsores or other visible injuries
  • After a transfer from the facility, any records from the hospital
  • Records of related expenses, along with medical bills
  • Letters or messages sent by the facility or insurer
  • Changes in the resident's condition laid out in a written timeline

Questions to ask a lawyer

  1. 1In nursing home claims you've handled, were the injuries like my loved one's?
  2. 2When we call, who'll respond, and who'll handle the file?
  3. 3When does the filing deadline for this claim fall?
  4. 4Before we sue on this claim, must we get a medical expert's written opinion?
  5. 5Which records will your office request, rather than having us gather them ourselves?
  6. 6If there's a recovery, how will you calculate your attorney fee?
  7. 7Whether the claim succeeds or fails, who pays the case costs?
  8. 8Who is allowed to bring the claim and recover damages if our loved one died?

Choosing a nursing home neglect lawyer in Tampa

Instead of starting with advertising, look at what went wrong in the care. If a bedsore appeared or the resident fell, tell the lawyer about it. Mention dehydration if the chart recorded it. Before choosing the firm, ask whether it's handled that injury in a nursing home or assisted living facility. Although a hospital malpractice result can show relevant experience, it comes from a different setting.

Ask about the lawyer and the records

  • Ask who'll speak with your family and review the care chart. Before hiring, find out whether the attorney you meet will stay involved.
  • Before comparing results, ask what happened in the published case and request similar claims. Even a large dollar result can't predict what happens with yours.
  • Before hiring, discuss how you'll communicate. If a message goes unanswered, find out what happens and how you can reach the person handling your file.
  • Ask where you'll meet. Although several other listed firms have Tampa offices, Fernandez Firm's office is in Orlando.

The claimant must make a reasonable investigation before filing suit for medical negligence. To support the notice of intent, a qualified medical expert must provide a verified written opinion. Before proceeding, ask who'll review the chart and how the attorney will obtain that opinion. Even if you don't have all the records yet, bring the dates you do know.

Read the fee agreement before signing

If the consultation is free, you don't pay for that meeting. That doesn't necessarily cover later expenses. If a claim fails under a contingency arrangement, the lawyer receives no attorney fee; a recovery gives the lawyer a share of it. Separate case costs include records and medical opinions. Before agreeing, ask who pays those expenses during the case and what you might owe if the claim brings no recovery.

If someone promises a result or pressures you to sign without understanding the agreement, be cautious about proceeding. Although reviews can help you ask about responsiveness, they don't show that neglect actually happened. You're reading general information here, not legal advice. To learn which rules apply to your family's claim, ask a Florida lawyer.

Questions people ask

What should I do before calling a Tampa nursing home neglect lawyer?
When you write down what happened, include when you first learned about the injury. Along with the care records you have, gather any photos or messages from the facility. Before calling, you don't need to resolve every uncertainty. To find out which records they'll need to assess your situation, ask a Florida lawyer, and have them check the deadline.
How long do I have to file a claim in Florida?
For Florida medical malpractice claims, the deadline is 2 years from the incident or when it was or should have been discovered. After the incident, an outer limit of 4 years applies. To find out whether those rules cover your nursing home claim, speak with a Florida lawyer. You can find these time limits in the Florida statute.
Can we speak to a lawyer without paying for the first meeting?
Nine firms on this list say they offer a free consultation. Kohn Law's consultation terms aren't stated, so ask before scheduling. A free meeting gives you a chance to discuss the claim and the firm's approach. It doesn't mean there will be no case expenses or that the firm will accept the case.
What does a contingency fee mean?
If a claim fails under a contingency fee, the lawyer gets no attorney fee; if there's a recovery, the lawyer receives a share. According to eight listed firms, they use this arrangement. Along with court fees, records and medical opinions cost extra. Before agreeing, get written terms explaining who pays those expenses and whether you could still owe them if the case brings no recovery.
Does a medical negligence claim need an expert opinion?
Yes. Before filing suit for medical negligence in Florida, a claimant must make a reasonable investigation. To corroborate the notice of intent, a qualified medical expert must also provide a verified written opinion. Before proceeding with your nursing home claim, ask a Florida lawyer whether it must meet those requirements and how they'll arrange the medical review.
Which listed firms have published bedsore results?
For nursing home bedsores, Abrahamson & Uiterwyk publishes a $725,000 result. Along with a $1.1 million hospital pressure-injury result, Fernandez Firm describes a settlement involving nursing home bedsores and wrongful death. Pressure sores and dehydration appear in Kohn Law's published results. Nursing home bedsore cases also appear in Farah & Farah's descriptions. What another claim might recover can't be predicted from any of these results.
How long will a nursing home neglect case take?
According to the firms' information here, there's no stated fixed length for these cases. Before a complaint can be filed, ask what work your claim needs, including reviewing the records and obtaining any medical opinion that's required. A claim can follow paths shown by published settlements and verdicts. For your family's case, though, those results don't provide a timetable.
What changes if my loved one died?
Along with handling wrongful death claims, some of the several firms doing that work here publish nursing home wrongful death results. Damage caps aren't enforced in Florida. When medical negligence causes a death, Florida's wrongful death act limits who can recover non-economic damages. Losses without a direct bill fall within these damages. To understand what those restrictions mean for your family, speak with a Florida lawyer.
Are the deadlines different for a child's medical negligence claim?
If a claim is brought on a child's behalf on or before the eighth birthday, Florida's rule says the 4-year and 7-year limits don't bar it. That exception isn't something to use to calculate a deadline yourself. Before relying on it, have a Florida lawyer review the child's dates and explain how the filing rules apply to that particular claim.

Sources

  1. Florida Statutes § 95.11 (2026), Florida Legislature (Online Sunshine)
  2. Florida Statutes § 768.21 (2026), Florida Legislature (Online Sunshine)
  3. Florida Statutes § 768.81 (2026), Florida Legislature (Online Sunshine)
  4. Florida Statutes § 766.106 (2026), Florida Legislature (Online Sunshine)
  5. State Enactments of Selected Medical Liability Reforms (as of 8/27/2026), Medical Professional Liability Association
  6. Contributory Negligence/Comparative Fault Laws in All 50 States (updated 6/10/2026), Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer, S.C.
  7. Hospital General Information, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
  8. Malpractice Center methodology, Malpractice Center

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