Home to one of the nation’s highest demographic of residents over the age of 65, Florida is slated to have over six million people over the age of 60 by the year 2020. With such a high population of elderly individuals, we will undoubtedly also see an increase in nursing homes in the state. It is important that we take care of our aging population, and that starts with ensuring our nursing homes are treating its residents with care. If you or a loved one is or will be a nursing home resident, make sure you familiarize yourself with Florida nursing home laws so you know you are being treated with the highest standard of care. If you believe a nursing home is not treating its residents with care, call us today at 772-905-8692 to speak with an experienced lawyer who will fight for your rights.
Nursing Home Neglect
Florida law lays out the basic standard of care that all nursing homes must follow, including the rights that nursing home residents have to caseworkers and the duties and tasks that each caseworker must complete on a daily basis. If the staff at a nursing home fail to perform their duties or a nursing home fails to adequately maintain its premises, it may be liable to its residents for nursing home neglect. Failure to maintain a standard of care when caring for residents can result in dehydration, malnutrition, bedsores, medication errors, and in the most extreme instance, wrongful death. Failure to adequately maintain its premises can result in resident injuries from slip and falls, trips, and other unsafe and unsanitary living conditions.
Nursing Home Abuse
Unlike nursing home neglect, which refers to a failure to provide, nursing home abuse refers to an intentional mistreatment of a resident. While it is difficult to understand, some nursing home staff may go one step beyond neglect and purposefully inflict abuse onto its residents. While nursing home abuse may take the form of physical infliction of pain that results in obvious physical bruises or markings, it can also take the form of verbal abuse, mental abuse, and even sexual abuse.
If you notice a loved one is behaving differently from his or her normal self, be sure to further inquire and investigate into the living conditions and staff behaviors at the nursing home where your loved one is a resident. Just because you do not see any physical bruises or markings on your loved one does not mean they are not being abused in other ways.
Contact Our Port St. Lucie Nursing Home Neglect & Abuse Lawyers Today
Under Florida law, nursing home residents have a right to be treated with consideration, respect, and dignity. Injured residents may seek compensation for both physical and mental injuries, including cost of medical bills, out of pocket expenses, and pain and suffering. If you or a loved one has suffered nursing home neglect or abuse, call us today at 772-905-8692 to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced lawyers at the Eighmie Law Firm, P.A. We are ready to fight for your rights.
