The Higgins Firm Welcomes Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Leila Larsen

Has a loved one been neglected or abused in a Tennessee nursing home? The Higgins Firm’s dedicated nursing home neglect team is here to fight for your family.

Attorney Leila Larsen brings a deeply personal perspective to every case she handles, and her background in healthcare gives her a firsthand understanding of what families and residents endure when care fails.

Meet Leila Larsen

Leila Larsen is the newest attorney to join The Higgins Firm’s nursing home litigation division, one of the only teams in Tennessee focused solely on nursing home neglect and abuse cases.

Her path to nursing home law wasn’t accidental. Leila grew up in a family of medical providers and worked in the healthcare staffing industry before becoming an attorney. That background gave her a deep understanding of how healthcare facilities operate, where systems break down, and what happens to residents when staffing and oversight fail.

As a young adult, Leila volunteered in nursing homes. She saw what residents and families went through when care fell short. That experience stayed with her and ultimately shaped her career.

“I saw what families and residents went through,” Leila says, “which inspired me to be a voice for those who need a voice the most.”

Why Her Healthcare Background Matters

Most attorneys who handle nursing home cases learn about healthcare staffing, facility operations, and care standards through litigation. Leila walked into the courtroom already knowing how the system works from the inside.

Her healthcare staffing experience means she understands:

• How staffing shortages directly cause neglect. When facilities cut corners on hiring, residents don’t get turned, fed, bathed, or medicated on time. Leila has seen the staffing side of this equation firsthand.
• What proper care actually looks like. Growing up around medical providers gave her a baseline for evaluating whether a facility is meeting its obligations or falling dangerously short.
• How facilities document care. Understanding charting practices, medication administration records, and staffing logs helps her identify gaps, inconsistencies, and fabricated records.
• The human impact. Volunteering in nursing homes showed her what residents experience day to day. That perspective informs how she connects with clients and their families.

A Personal Approach to Every Case

Nursing home abuse and neglect cases are emotional. Families are dealing with guilt, anger, and fear for someone they love. Leila approaches every case by putting herself in the family’s position.

“I look at it as if this could be my mom, my brother, my spouse,” she explains. “When you look at it that way, it feels so personal. And when it’s personal, it’s easier to fight and advocate for those who need it.”

That personal approach matters because nursing home cases require sustained advocacy.

These cases can involve:

• Bedsores and pressure injuries caused by failure to reposition immobile residents
• Unexplained falls resulting from inadequate supervision or staffing
• Malnutrition and dehydration from missed meals and insufficient hydration monitoring
• Medication errors, including wrong dosages, missed doses, or unnecessary chemical restraints
• Emotional abuse and isolation that strips residents of their dignity
• Infections and medical complications from delayed or inadequate treatment

Each of these situations represents a failure by the facility to provide the care families are paying for and that residents deserve.

The Higgins Firm’s Nursing Home Litigation Division

The Higgins Firm is one of the few law firms in Tennessee with a team of attorneys focused solely on nursing home neglect and abuse litigation. This isn’t a side practice. It’s a dedicated division where every attorney concentrates on holding facilities accountable for harming residents.

That focus matters because nursing home cases are different from other personal injury claims. They involve:

• Complex medical records. Thousands of pages of nursing notes, physician orders, medication logs, and incident reports that must be analyzed to build a case.
• Federal and state regulations. Nursing homes must comply with both federal regulations (42 CFR § 483) and the Tennessee Adult Protection Act. Attorneys handling these cases must understand both frameworks.
• Corporate defendants. Many Tennessee nursing homes are owned by large corporate chains that deploy aggressive legal teams to minimize liability. Going up against these entities requires a firm with the resources and experience to match.
• Vulnerable clients. Residents and their families are often reluctant to speak up or unsure of their rights. Attorneys in this practice area must be advocates and guides for people navigating one of the most difficult situations a family can face.

When to Contact a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

If you notice any of the following warning signs, your loved one may be experiencing neglect or abuse:

• Unexplained injuries, bruises, or broken bones
• Rapid weight loss or signs of dehydration
• Bedsores or skin breakdown
• Sudden behavioral changes, withdrawal, or fear of staff
• Unsanitary living conditions or soiled clothing and bedding
• Medication-related issues such as over-sedation or missed doses
• The facility being evasive about your loved one’s condition or care

Don’t wait to take action. Tennessee’s statute of limitations gives families a limited window to file claims, and evidence can deteriorate quickly in nursing home cases.

Fighting for Tennessee Families

Leila Larsen joined The Higgins Firm because she believes nursing home residents deserve someone who will fight for them the way she would fight for her own family. Combined with The Higgins Firm’s dedicated nursing home litigation division, her healthcare background and personal commitment make a difference for families across Tennessee.

If your loved one has suffered neglect or abuse in a Tennessee nursing home, contact The Higgins Firm for a free consultation. We don’t get paid unless we win.