Nursing Home Negligence

Florida elder law attorney Randy A. Bryant provides assistance to Florida residents who have been victims of nursing home neglect and abuse. With over a decade of experience as a probate and elder law, Randy A. Bryant is familiar with the unique needs of elderly Florida residents and the challenges they may face in obtaining the health care and support that they deserve. For this reason, the Bryant Law Firm offers comprehensive representation to victims of nursing home neglect and their family members in order to help them obtain the justice they deserve.

The decision to move a loved one to a nursing home is often made in the hopes of ensuring the constant medical, psychological, and social support necessary to help navigate the difficult path of growing old. It is a decision that Florida families take very seriously, with a belief that a Florida nursing home will provide its residents with the care that they deserve. For this reason, it is often shocking to hear of instances of nursing home neglect and abuse. Unfortunately, however, such incidents are not uncommon. Although statistics are difficult to come by because neglect and abuse often go unreported, the National Center on Elder Abuse reports that nearly one in ten nursing homes have been cited for violations of federal standards that caused residents harm, serious injury, or placed them in jeopardy of death. In a recent study of 2,000 nursing home residents, 44% said they had been abused and 95% said they had been neglected or seen another resident neglected. These statistics show that nursing home abuse and neglect must be taken very seriously.

The state of Florida has recognized the vulnerabilities of nursing home residents, and in 2009 passed a series of laws to protect their rights. The Resident Bill of Rights carefully lists all of the rights of those in nursing homes and mandates zero tolerance for nursing home violations. The listed rights include:

• The right to be free from physical or mental abuse
• The right to receive adequate and appropriate health care and support
• The right to be informed of one’s medical condition
• The right to freedom of choice in selecting a personal physician
• The right to civil and religious liberties
• The right to participate in the planning of all medical treatment

Additionally, Florida law requires that each nursing home be equipped with sufficient staff and qualified health care providers.

If a nursing home fails to meet these requirements or fails to act with reasonable care in providing for a nursing home resident, including violating the Resident Bill of Rights, the nursing home and/or its staff may be liable for negligence. It is important to note that nursing home negligence lawsuits often have strict time limitations requiring that a lawsuit be brought relatively soon after a nursing home resident is admitted. For this reason, it is important to contact a qualified Florida elder law attorney as soon as possible.

If a nursing home is found liable for your neglect, or the neglect of a loved one, you may be entitled to significant compensation, including past and future medical expenses and nursing care and pain and suffering. An attorney can help you assess what compensation may be available to you.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of nursing home neglect, Miami nursing home abuse attorney Randy A. Bryant is here to assist you. As a practitioner in the field of nursing home negligence, the Bryant Law Firm can help you seek justice and compensation for any trauma you might have experienced. We understand that claims of neglect can often be difficult to uncover, and we can work with you to obtain the information and evidence that you need in order to bring a lawsuit. We believe nursing home negligence can be stopped when it is actively addressed and reported. To schedule a free consultation call our Coconut Grove office at 305.456.2777. You can also contact us online.