What Constitutes Nursing Home Negligence in Florida?
Due to the wear of a long life, it’s not uncommon for seniors to experience a gradual decline in health after moving into a nursing home. However, if your loved one suffered a sudden drop in physical or cognitive function or sustained serious injuries, it’s possible that negligence or abuse is to blame. If you think your relative’s condition can’t just be chalked up to old age, your family may have grounds for a nursing home abuse or negligence claim against the facility.
What Is Nursing Home Negligence?
At long-term care facilities, administrators must take reasonable steps to ensure their employees have the training and tools needed to meet each resident’s needs. Caregivers must provide a reasonable standard of care to each and every patient in Florida. If any of these parties breach their duties, it could be nursing home negligence.
Examples of negligence on the part of administrators include:
- Understaffing some or all of the shifts
- Failing to conduct thorough background checks on all new hires
- Failing to provide adequate training to their employees
- Failing to provide nutritious meals to residents
- Failing to provide mobility aids and safety devices that will prevent falls such as walkers, wheelchairs, grab bars, and nonskid mats
- Failing to research any recalls regarding the drugs or medical devices that they supply residents
Examples of negligence on the part of staff members include:
- Failing to periodically check every patient
- Failing to administer medication properly
- Failing to reposition immobile residents to prevent bedsores
- Failing to assist residents who need help eating
- Failing to change diapers and wound dressings in a timely manner
What Are the Signs of Nursing Home Negligence?
Identifying negligence in Florida nursing homes can pose a challenge because the signs of neglect are often subtle, at least initially. Eventually, though, it often becomes impossible to overlook the indicators that a resident is no longer receiving quality care.
Here are some of the most telling signs that administrators or staff members have breached the duty owed to your relative:
- Sudden weight loss
- Chronic dehydration
- Malnutrition
- Bedsores
- Poor hygiene
- Bruises and/or fractures from falling
- Unexplained injuries or hospitalizations
What Should I Do If I Suspect Nursing Home Negligence?
If you think your loved one is being neglected or abused by nursing home staff, arrange for alternative care if their health is in immediate danger, and then call a lawyer. A resourceful personal injury attorney will investigate the situation to determine the most strategic way to proceed.
Don’t let administrators handle the issue internally. They might alter or destroy evidence that could be used to strengthen your claim.
Speak with a Florida Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Today
At Emerson Straw, we understand the devastating consequences that nursing home negligence can have on the whole family. We are dedicated to getting victims and their loved ones the results they deserve.
We have won numerous six- and seven-figure settlements and verdicts for clients. Call (727) 821-1500 or fill out our Contact Form to schedule a free consultation with a nursing home abuse lawyer.