Fort Lauderdale Nursing Home Abuse

When you select a nursing home for a loved one, you do everything you can to find a safe and compassionate facility. However, there is only so much you can do, and sometimes, nursing homes can effectively cover up what goes on behind closed doors. Approximately 2.5 million elderly and disabled Americans reside at one of the 15,800 nursing homes or 28,000 assisted living facilities across the country. Recent studies suggest that the rate of nursing home abuse and neglect affects as many as three in ten residents. When caregivers at nursing homes, assisted living centers, and extended healthcare institutions abuse or neglect those in their care, the facility may be held liable for any injuries or death caused by their employee’s actions.

At the law firm of Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada, we proudly represent nursing home residents and their families, helping them hold abusive and negligent nursing homes accountable for the harms they’ve caused. We have over 100 years of combined experience investigating claims of nursing home abuse in all counties in Florida and know what it takes to ensure your family is compensated for everything your loved one endured.

By all accounts, nursing home negligence is a serious, ever-growing and under-reported problem that is reaching epidemic proportions. The number of older Americans who depend on nursing homes and other assisted living facilities for basic needs is steadily increasing. The monthly fees residents pay for care are costly, yet corporate owners of nursing homes and assisted living centers often place profits before the care of residents. Not surprisingly, nursing homes face staff shortages; existing staff receive inadequate training. As a result, nursing home staff are frequently overworked and underpaid, increasing the likelihood of neglectful and abusive behavior.

Examples of nursing home negligence and abuse include, but are not limited to:

• Medication and prescription errors,
• Falls, dislocations, and fractures,
• Physical, emotional, and psychological abuse,
• Inappropriate use of physical restraints,
• Dehydration and malnutrition,
• Bedsores and infections,
• Financial abuse and exploitation, and
• Negligent supervision.

Abuse and neglect are not always easy to recognize and are frequently covered up by nursing home staff. If a family member or friend is in a nursing home or assisted living center, it is important to always be on the lookout for signs of neglect and abuse.

Some of the signs of nursing home abuse or neglect include:

• Sudden changes to a resident’s demeanor,
• Unexplained bruises or broken bones,
• Slip and falls,
• Frequent trips to the emergency room, and
• Bedsores or pressure ulcers.

An unsanitary facility and the presence of hurried or “stressed” nursing home employees may also indicate that the facility is poorly run, which increases the risk of an employee mistreating a resident.

Many nursing home residents are older and are in a compromised state of health. Thus, even a single incident of neglect or abuse can send a resident’s health into a downward spiral that they may not be able to recover from—eventually resulting in their premature death.

If you have reason to believe that a family member is being abused or mistreated, or has been the victim of caretaker negligence, it is essential to speak with a Fort Lauderdale nursing home abuse and neglect attorney immediately. At Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada, our firm has assisted hundreds of families that have suffered due to the mistreatment of a relative in an assisted care setting in Florida. When you need legal help to protect the rights of a nursing home resident who is being mistreated and prevent further neglect and abuse, call our law firm at 877-448-8585. You can also reach us through our online contact form. Se habla Español / Nou Parle Creole.