Florida residents know that being sick is no fun. In addition to being physically difficult, individuals can be emotionally distraught if they believe the condition is serious. For this reason, we rely on trained and experienced medical professionals to diagnose our medical conditions. Unfortunately, however, when confronted with a complex illness like lung cancer, doctors have a lot to sift through to reach a proper diagnosis. This means that any slipup or moment of inattentiveness can result in a failure to diagnose and serious consequences for the patient.
Marvin Hamlisch's death spurs medical malpractice case
Most Floridians trust their doctors. When they make a medical diagnosis and recommend treatment options, these patients typically listen, and for good reason. Doctors spend years studying the human body, illnesses, injuries, and procedures in order to adequately provide healthcare to their patients. However, no amount of education and training can prevent human error and, unfortunately, these errors are often at the expense of patients' safety.
Assisted Living Facility Abuse Continues Across the State of Florida
In the Spring of 2011, the Miami Herald published a comprehensive multi-part investigative article on ALF abuse and neglect. It was an attempt to shed light on the deplorable conditions elderly, infirm, and vulnerable Floridians were living in at Assisted Living Facilities across the state. Attorney William A. Dean and the Law Firm of Ford & Dean, P.A., were widely quoted in this comprehensive investigative expose and, in fact, the Miami Herald focused on Ford & Dean's ALF abuse and neglect trial on behalf of KAREN PAGONO, as Personal Representative of the Estate of FRANCES TREMBLAY, vs. HILLSBORO MANAGEMENT, LLC, d/b/a LIVING LEGENDS RETIREMENT CENTER. William A. Dean & Michael J. Rotundo were successful in obtaining a jury verdict in the amount of $2.4 Million Dollars against the Defendant for the horrific abuse and neglect Frances Tremblay suffered while a resident at the Defendant ALF. As a result of this substantial verdict, William A. Dean & Michael J. Rotundo were introduced into the Daily Business Review's 2014 Florida Verdicts Hall of Fame.
Should I worry about nursing home malnutrition?
There is a lot to worry about when going into or placing a loved one into a nursing home, and malnutrition is one of them. According to a study by the Commonwealth Fund, about one-third of the nation's 1.6 million nursing home residents are malnourished or dehydrated. While many fail to consider these conditions serious, they can actually exacerbate already existing medical conditions, causing a rapid decline in an individual's health. In some instances, extreme malnutrition or dehydration can lead to death.
Strong legal representation needed in Florida negligence cases
We all love our elderly relatives. However, when the time comes when one realizes that he or she can no longer care for his or her elderly loved one, the difficult choice of whether or not to utilize a nursing home may become necessary. While the decision to move a loved one into an assisted living facility can certainly be a beneficial one, it can also be tragic. When we give control of our loved one's health to nursing home staff, they do not always live up to our standards. Sadly, this can result in serious injuries and, sometimes, death.
Elder abuse is a common occurrence throughout Florida
This blog often discusses nursing home neglect, how to spot signs of neglect, and what can be done if you or a loved one has been injured by nursing home neglect. While that topic is certainly important, it is not, by any means, the only concern elderly individuals should have when residing in a nursing home. Sadly, many nursing home residents are also subjected to elder abuse.
