Nursing Home And Elder Abuse FAQ

Nursing home abuse is typically used as a catchall phrase to refer to any type of elder abuse or neglect that occurs in a senior living facility such as a nursing home, an assisted living center or a similar environment.

Like elder abuse, nursing home abuse can take many forms. The different types of nursing home abuse include neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional/mental abuse and financial abuse. Each of these types of abuse is devastating, often leading to significant, long-lasting implications for both the victim and their loved ones.

Nursing home abuse and neglect are similar, but there are several key differences that set them apart from one another. Specifically, nursing home neglect is a form of abuse that involves general negligence and/or the failure to provide adequate care that meets acceptable standards. In contrast, nursing home abuse typically involves actual acts against nursing home or assisted living facility residents that result in bodily injury or emotional, mental and/or financial harm.

Examples of nursing home neglect include poor nutrition, medication errors, failure to adequately care for or supervise residents, failure to provide for a resident’s basic needs, unsanitary living conditions, neglect of personal hygiene, improper fall prevention and insufficient response to medical needs, among many others.

Making the difficult choice to place an elderly loved one in the care of a nursing home or assisted living facility can be all the more challenging when you realize just how pervasive elder abuse and neglect are in the U.S. Fortunately, there are many reputable senior living facilities that provide residents with the level of care, support and respect they deserve.

Finding the right facility for your loved one requires some research. You will want to find a facility that is both practical and trustworthy. Often, the best starting point is researching online. Narrow your search to a specific area – if possible, the closer to home or a trusted relative it is, the better. Look for online reviews from residents and their loved ones as well as ratings from trusted sources, like Medicare and ProPublica. You can also review various “watchlists,” which provide information on nursing homes and other assisted living facilities that have failed to meet acceptable standards or have received warnings.

While the internet offers plenty of advantages when it comes to researching a reputable nursing home for your elderly loved one, there is no substitute for visiting in person. If possible, you should always visit potential nursing homes or assisted living facilities. While there, do not be afraid to ask the staff any questions you may have regarding residents’ care, social activities, medical services, safety procedures and more. You should also pay attention to the overall condition of the facility. Does it seem clean and sanitary? Do residents appear happy? What is the staff-to-resident ratio? Is there a lot of natural light? Do residents have their own rooms? How many medical professionals are on staff? What activities are available to residents? These and other questions can help you decide if a facility is the right place for your loved one.

Yes, you have the right to file a lawsuit against a nursing home, long-term care center or similar assisted living/senior living facility if you believe that it has failed to provide an acceptable standard of care to yourself or a loved one. To have grounds for a lawsuit, you will likely need to prove that the facility owed a duty of care to your elderly loved one when they were a patient or resident, but that it failed to uphold this duty of care, typically by providing substandard care, operating in a negligent manner or exhibiting wrongful conduct like abuse. You will also need to prove that you and/or your loved one suffered measurable damages, such as medical expenses or pain and suffering, as a result of the abuse or neglect.

According to the relevant statute of limitations, you typically have two years from the date of the incident to bring a claim against a nursing home or assisted living facility. However, every situation is unique. If you wait too long, you may miss out on your opportunity to pursue compensation. Contact our legal team at Ford, Dean & Rotundo, P.A., to discuss what time frame applies in your case.

Yes. If you are a spouse, child, parent, sibling or other family member, you have standing to bring a claim on behalf of your abused loved one for the harm they suffered in a nursing home or assisted living facility. We can help you pursue a wrongful death claim; contact our Florida nursing home abuse attorneys at Ford, Dean & Rotundo, P.A., today for a complimentary consultation and case evaluation.

In general, it takes approximately four years to prosecute a personal injury case through trial, across the state. However, at Ford, Dean & Rotundo, P.A., we are typically able to conclude cases within 12 to 18 months. We know how difficult it can be to deal with a lawsuit that drags on forever. Our lawyers will do everything in our power to resolve your case as quickly and favorably as possible.

No. We will obtain complete copies of all relevant medical records, bills and insurance information.

Though we are based in Miami, we handle elder abuse and neglect cases in every county across Florida. We also handle complex cases involving multiple states and federal jurisdictions.

No. Although you are always welcome to make an appointment to speak with us in person, you do not have to come into the office for the initial consultation. If you decide to move forward with our services, we can have the contingency fee contract (which is approved by the Florida Supreme Court) delivered to you via email, fax, overnight mail or regular mail. You can return the signed contract in the same manner.

Please note that once the case is filed, your in-person attendance at depositions or mediation may be necessary. Those will be scheduled in the county in which the case is being brought.

No. Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. That means that we pay all of your costs upfront and are repaid at the end of the lawsuit only if we make a recovery on your behalf.