Ford, Dean & Rotundo, P.A.Ford, Dean & Rotundo, P.A.2026-08-05T23:17:41Zhttps://www.forddean.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1103041/2023/03/cropped-fdr-site-icon-32x32.jpgOn Behalf of Ford, Dean & Rotundo, P.A.<![CDATA[The hidden dangers of bedsores in assisted living facilities]]>https://www.forddean.com/?p=509932026-08-05T23:17:41Z2026-08-05T23:17:41ZBedsores may reveal deeper problems within an assisted living facility, including inadequate staffing, poor communication among caregivers and failures to recognize subtle warning signs.
Bedsores increase the risk of serious medical complications
As pressure injuries worsen, they may expose fat, muscle, tendons and even bone. Open wounds also provide bacteria with a direct pathway into the body, increasing the likelihood of:
Cellulitis
Bone infections (osteomyelitis)
Bloodstream infections (sepsis)
Chronic pain
Reduced mobility
Extended hospitalization
For older adults with weakened immune systems, these complications can become life-threatening much faster.
Pain is not always a reliable warning sign
Many relatives expect an older loved one to complain if a bedsore develops. Unfortunately, that is not always possible.
Residents living with dementia may struggle to explain discomfort. Others have diabetic neuropathy, stroke-related sensory loss or neurological conditions that reduce their ability to feel pain.
Instead of verbal complaints, caregivers may notice behavioral changes such as agitation, withdrawal or resisting repositioning. These subtle signs should never be dismissed as ordinary aging or cognitive decline without further evaluation.
When an older adult develops a serious bedsore in an assisted living facility, families may benefit from reviewing the circumstances with the help of an experienced legal team that handles nursing home and assisted living negligence cases. They may help the injured resident recover compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, rehabilitation costs and other losses while also encouraging higher standards of care for vulnerable residents.]]>On Behalf of Ford, Dean & Rotundo, P.A.<![CDATA[Assisted living facility vs. nursing home negligence in Florida]]>https://www.forddean.com/?p=509902026-08-04T13:41:28Z2026-08-03T14:49:41ZThe difference in care levels
An ALF focuses on providing custodial care to residents, such as help with daily activities like bathing or dressing. People that stay in these facilities are generally more independent.
Nursing homes, however, provide medical care for residents who need nursing supervision and treatment around the clock. Even though these facilities offer different levels of care, the warning signs of harm are similar in both settings.
Common signs of negligence
Negligent behavior can often go unnoticed. However, there are warning signs that may indicate a nursing home or ALF is harming a person, including:
Physical indicators: Unexplained bruises or bedsores
Behavioral changes: Sudden withdrawal or fear of staff
Administrative red flags: Medication errors or unclean premises
Learning how to recognize these signs can help you document what you observe and make sure the problem is addressed as soon as possible.
Proving negligence in Florida
In Florida, a facility may be negligent if it fails to give the expected level of reasonable care to residents. Acting fast can help protect important evidence, such as medical bills, injury photos and messages with staff. These records may help show the facility’s inactions led to your loved one’s injury or death.
Additionally, you can file a complaint with the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). This agency can investigate the facility and take action when they find violations.
Holding negligent facilities accountable
Protecting a loved one from care facility abuse and neglect requires vigilance, documentation and prompt action. In Florida, medical malpractice and nursing home claims generally have a strict two-year deadline. Seeking legal guidance early can help safeguard your family’s right to compensation and your loved one’s safety and dignity.]]>On Behalf of Ford, Dean & Rotundo, P.A.<![CDATA[Why wandering can be as dangerous as elopement for older adults]]>https://www.forddean.com/?p=509882026-07-25T16:46:08Z2026-07-25T16:46:08ZWhy is wandering dangerous?
The living or resident spaces of a nursing home are meant to be safe and easily accessible for people with mobility challenges. However, the staff areas of the facility may have stairs, dangerous equipment and physical characteristics that put people at risk of injuries.
Wandering within a nursing home can put people at risk of serious injury and illness. For example, last year, there was a report of an older gentleman who wandered inside a nursing home and ended up trapped in the walk-in freezer. The protracted cold exposure he experienced caused his death.
Wandering incidents within nursing homes can lead to illness, serious injury, psychological trauma or even death. Nursing homes need to monitor the support requirements and cognitive capacity of older adults to ensure they receive the support they need.
When nursing homes fail to prevent wandering or elopement, their inability to manage residents’ needs could constitute negligence. Documenting wandering incidents and reviewing them with a lawyer can help families help to hold facilities accountable for unnecessarily endangering vulnerable older adults.]]>On Behalf of Ford, Dean & Rotundo, P.A.<![CDATA[Nursing home failures can be deadly in the aftermath of an emergency]]>https://www.forddean.com/?p=509692026-07-11T13:02:44Z2026-07-11T13:02:44Zmust have backup generators that can keep temperatures at no higher than 80 degrees for a minimum of four days as well as a fuel supply and an emergency power plan. Facilities must also maintain fuel and other supplies and emergency power plans.
Residents’ lives can be at risk after the emergency has passed
Even when residents survive these emergency events seemingly unharmed, the stress of them can cause fatal outcomes later. One study by researchers at two universities found an increase in fatalities over previous years that were linked to Hurricane Irma in the 90 days post-hurricane that they studied
The doctor who led the study noted that the deaths occurred primarily among long-term residents. He noted, “We tend to underestimate nursing home deaths for a variety of different reasons, because these are frail, older adults….When they die, we attribute their deaths to natural causes rather than taking into account the near-term impact of the disaster.”
It’s critical for those looking for a nursing home or other care facility for a loved one to find out about their internal emergency plans and how they work with local emergency services professionals to ensure safe evacuation if necessary and sufficient backup power sources to maintain safe conditions during and after a disaster. It’s wise to ask about what added care and observation they provide to residents once the emergency has passed.
If a loved one is harmed or worse when an emergency affects a care facility, the owners, management and staff may have some liability. Getting early legal guidance can be a good first step in seeking justice and compensation accordingly.]]>On Behalf of Ford, Dean & Rotundo, P.A.<![CDATA[Know sepsis: The silent killer in assisted living facilities]]>https://www.forddean.com/?p=509272026-07-03T13:50:04Z2026-07-03T04:00:45ZWhat causes sepsis?
Sepsis begins with an infection. The danger grows when the body reacts too strongly to that illness. Instead of fighting only harmful germs, the immune system starts to harm healthy tissue and organs. Several infections can trigger that response. Bacteria remain the most common cause, but viruses, fungi and parasites can also lead to it.
Most cases begin with pneumonia, urinary tract infections, skin wounds or problems in the digestive system. Without quick treatment, the risk may become more serious as more organs are affected. Early medical care can help slow its progression.
Why is sepsis called the silent killer?
Older adults often show different warning signs than younger people. That makes sepsis harder to spot. A 2025 research study of Florida long-term care facilities also found workforce shortages, limited infection prevention resources and uneven staff training, which can delay early recognition.
Several factors make sepsis especially difficult to detect. Some of them include:
Warning signs may seem mild. Early symptoms can appear as sudden confusion, unusual sleepiness, poor appetite or small temperature changes instead of a high fever.
Chronic health conditions can hide warning signs. Diabetes, heart disease and weakened immune systems can make infections more serious while making sepsis harder to identify early.
Common infections may seem less serious at first. Urinary tract infections and pneumonia often worsen before anyone realizes how serious the condition has become.
Small changes sometimes go unnoticed. Missed observations or slow responses to physical or behavioral changes may give an infection more time to spread.
These warning signs often resemble normal aging or dementia. As a result, families usually depend on caregivers to notice small changes before the condition becomes critical.
Protecting your parents through early action
Unusual changes deserve attention as soon as they appear. Even small shifts in appetite or behavior need prompt medical review because they can point to a dangerous infection. If those signs were missed or treatment came too late, the facts may deserve careful evaluation.
When delayed diagnosis or poor care raises concerns, legal guidance can help your family understand what happened. That review may also show whether the facility met its responsibilities and help protect your parents’ interests.]]>On Behalf of Ford, Dean & Rotundo, P.A.<![CDATA[Bedsores lead to a record jury award against a nursing home]]>https://www.forddean.com/?p=509232026-06-30T01:07:18Z2026-06-30T01:07:18ZWhat led to the lawsuit?
The family members of an 82-year-old nursing home resident were devastated to learn that their family patriarch had died. The resident went to the hospital for heart issues, which physicians quickly determined were the result of insufficient medical care. The elder man eventually died due to the medical complications he experienced.
Although the pursuit of justice is often not rapid, the family did eventually prevail in civil court years after their loss. A jury that heard the case awarded the family $14.7 million due to the tragic consequences of the undiagnosed and untreated bedsores that eventually claimed the resident's life.
Such cases highlight how important it is for grieving families to have independent medical insight and legal advocacy when residents in nursing homes suffer unnecessarily due to neglect or abuse. Families may struggle to prove that a nursing home failed to provide reasonable care. They may agree to unnecessarily low settlements. They may even struggle to collect on a judgment, especially if the facility lacks adequate insurance coverage.
Reviewing the reason for potential nursing home negligence claims with a skilled legal team can help families explore their options. Those dealing with preventable injuries, illnesses and tragedies may have grounds to take legal action.]]>On Behalf of Ford, Dean & Rotundo, P.A.<![CDATA[Did a nursing home fail to address dementia-related malnutrition?]]>https://www.forddean.com/?p=509212026-06-19T01:02:10Z2026-06-19T01:02:10ZDementia can affect appetite and independence
Older adults experiencing dementia may struggle to recognize when they are hungry. It is necessary for the staff of a nursing home to track when residents eat and to ensure they receive the minimum nutrition necessary for their health.
Particularly when an older adult struggles with dementia, self-regulated nutrition may not be a safe and sustainable practice. The facility may need to monitor their nutrition and offer supplements, possibly in the form of a feeding tube in more extreme cases.
Malnutrition can exacerbate the symptoms of dementia and worsen an older adult’s prognosis. If care providers do not ensure that older adults receive adequate nutrition despite their dementia-related challenges, the older adult may have a much more rapid decline and could also incur higher overall long-term care costs than those who receive sufficient nutrition regularly.
Given the well-known association between malnutrition and dementia onset, families could have grounds for a nursing home negligence lawsuit. Reviewing internal records can help families hold long-term care facilities responsible for failing to properly support vulnerable adults.]]>On Behalf of Ford, Dean & Rotundo, P.A.<![CDATA[How often does someone need to move to avoid bedsores?]]>https://www.forddean.com/?p=509122026-06-06T12:55:56Z2026-06-06T12:55:56Zone to two hours if someone is in a bed.
In other words, even if nursing home staff helps an elderly person change positions every single day, it may not be enough to prevent bedsores. This can lead to serious injuries, especially if they get infected, and allegations may arise that the nursing home staff was negligent as a result of this development.
Every situation is unique
Another thing to remember is that every person in a nursing home has a unique situation and their own personal health history. One person may be more susceptible to bedsores than another. For instance, someone who is in a wheelchair may need to move more frequently than someone who is in a bed. A person who can perform simple tasks on their own, such as going to the bathroom, may naturally move more often than someone who cannot.
It is important for nursing home staff to carefully analyze everyone's unique situation and to provide the type of support and care that they need accordingly. If this does not happen and it leads to serious injuries, such as the development of bedsores, family members will need to know what legal options they have to pursue compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering and more.]]>On Behalf of Ford, Dean & Rotundo, P.A.<![CDATA[What to do when your family member elopes from a care facility]]>https://www.forddean.com/?p=509092026-05-27T17:21:43Z2026-05-27T17:19:18ZRecognizing facility liability
Elopement is a term used in long-term care when a resident leaves a facility undetected. Florida law requires care facilities to protect their residents from such risk. That responsibility includes measures such as door alarms, proper staffing and care plans built around each resident's needs.
A facility may be considered negligent if it failed to meet the standard of care that a reasonable long-term care provider would have followed under similar circumstances. The central question is whether the facility was aware of the resident's risk level and whether it responded to that risk in a meaningful way.
Taking immediate action after an incident
If your family member has left a care facility without supervision, consider doing the following:
Contact law enforcement and provide a recent photo, a physical description and any relevant details about your family member
Notify the facility in writing and request an account of the incident, including when staff last saw the resident and which safety measures were in place
Record every detail as it comes — dates, staff names, conversations and your loved one's condition upon their return
Request copies of the incident report, staffing logs and your family member's care plan
Gathering these details firsthand provides a clearer picture of the event while memories are still fresh. Taking this initiative puts you in a stronger position to advocate for your loved one and determine the best next steps for their care.
Filing a complaint with state authorities
Florida families can submit a complaint through the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, which operates under the Department of Elder Affairs. This program looks into concerns about the quality of life and care for residents of nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult family care homes.
You can file by phone, email or through the online portal. A local ombudsman is then assigned to look into the matter, and the program keeps the identity of the person who filed it private unless they give permission to share it.
You may also report concerns to the Agency for Health Care Administration, which licenses and regulates care facilities across the state. A report to this agency could lead to an inspection or a review of whether the facility met its obligations under state rules.
Pursuing a legal claim for resulting harm
If your loved one sustained injuries or suffered other harm after an elopement, you may have grounds to bring a civil claim against the facility. Such a claim may allow you to recover damages such as medical costs, the expense of moving to a new facility and compensation for pain and suffering. If the elopement led to a resident's death, a wrongful death claim may also be worth exploring with legal counsel.]]>On Behalf of Ford, Dean & Rotundo, P.A.<![CDATA[How CCTV footage can help prove nursing home abuse]]>https://www.forddean.com/?p=509062026-05-22T15:49:43Z2026-05-22T15:49:43ZFlorida nursing homes are required to maintain safe environments, and many facilities have extensive surveillance systems installed throughout their premises. What those cameras capture can become some of the most powerful evidence in an abuse case.
CCTV footage can document abuse in real time, like capturing a staff member striking a resident, restraining them improperly or neglecting their basic needs over extended periods. Even when cameras do not capture the abuse itself, surveillance footage can still provide valuable context. It may show who entered a resident’s room, how long staff ignored calls for assistance or whether proper safety checks were performed.Unlike witness testimony that can be disputed or contradicted, credible video evidence is difficult to dismiss. Footage clearly showing a caregiver acting outside acceptable standards of care can establish liability in a way that few other forms of evidence can match. It can also corroborate a victim's account, contradict a facility's official incident report or reveal a pattern of mistreatment that goes well beyond a single isolated incident.
Preserving the footage before it disappears
Video evidence is only useful if it still exists. Many nursing homes routinely overwrite security footage, meaning critical recordings may vanish before families realize abuse has occurred. That’s why you need to act quickly. Preserving evidence may involve sending a formal preservation letter demanding that the facility retain all relevant surveillance recordings, incident reports and electronic records connected to the abuse claim.Beyond preventing deletion, proper preservation also helps protect the integrity of the evidence. CCTV systems may contain gaps, overwritten segments or edited sections provided by the facility. Ensuring that footage is preserved in its original format can be essential in later legal proceedings, especially when authenticity is challenged.Don’t underestimate the value of legal guidance, particularly when time-sensitive evidence like CCTV recordings is involved. Proper legal intervention helps ensure that surveillance footage is preserved, authenticated and effectively used to support your claim.
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