Florida Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

Serving Pensacola, Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, Tampa & Beyond

When we place our loved ones in the care of nursing homes and similar facilities, we hope and trust that the nursing home doctors, nurses, and staff will provide our loved ones with the level of care and respect they deserve. Unfortunately, this is not always the reality. All too often, nursing home budgets are dictated according to corporate greed rather than the needs of the residents. This leads to understaffed facilities, poor staff-to-resident ratios, and overworked nursing home employees, all of which can—and often do—lead to negligence.

If you believe you or your loved one is the victim of nursing home negligence and/or abuse, do not wait to contact Michles & Booth. Our Florida nursing home abuse attorneys are well-versed in this complex area of law and can help you determine the next steps. We are prepared to fight tirelessly for you and your loved one.

Call us at 850-438-4848 or contact the firm online to request a free and confidential consultation.

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

Often, nursing home residents are not able or willing to speak up when abuse is occurring. They may not even fully realize that what they are experiencing is neglect. However, the consequences of nursing home abuse and neglect can be severe, leading to serious injuries, illness, and even death. Because of this, it is crucial that you are able to recognize the signs of nursing home abuse and neglect so that you can contact the appropriate authorities right away.

Some of the most common signs of nursing home abuse/neglect include:

• Bed sores
• Broken bones
• Falls
• Sexual injuries
• Soiled clothing/sheets
• Poor personal hygiene
• Poor doctor/staff-to-resident ratio
• Unusual changes in mood and/or behavior
• Unexplained weight changes/signs of malnutrition
• Seeming unwillingness to speak in staff’s presence
• Changes to a will/trust
• Unexplained ATM withdrawals
• Elopement
• Wandering
• Bruises, cuts, burns, scrapes, and other unexplained injuries

Keep in mind that nursing home abuse and neglect can take several forms, including physical neglect, physical abuse, mental/emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and financial abuse. Be aware of the signs and contact an attorney right away if you believe your loved one is/was the victim of abuse or neglect at his/her nursing home facility.

Why Nursing Home Abuse Occurs

Many facilities provide excellent care. Some nursing homes, however, fall far short and fail to provide even adequate care. Poor care may be the result of underpaid, overworked, or poorly trained staff. Care may also be deficient due to a nursing home cutting corners and not performing adequate background checks on its employees. Unfortunately, profit margins all too often override an individual’s right to dignity and proper care.

What to Do If You Suspect Your Loved One Is the Victim of Abuse/Neglect

When your loved one enters a nursing home as a resident, the facility is required by Florida statute to provide the resident with a list of their rights. When these rights are violated, you may take legal action.

If you have concerns that your loved one is being neglected or abused, you should file a report with the Florida Department of Health (DOH) as soon as possible. You can find the complaint form online here, but unfortunately, they are not taking requests over the phone at this time. It’s essential to note that the Florida DOH guarantees you and your loved one's confidentiality.

We also want to note that investigations done by the Florida DOH can take time, so we suggest speaking with a nursing home abuse attorney to see what other, faster options you may have.

Additionally, if you or your loved one have been a victim of Medicaid fraud, you must contact the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) immediately. There is an option to file a report online, or you can also contact them at (888) 419-3456.

You will have to provide a significant amount of information for the report. Some times you should expect to fill out include:

• The nursing home’s Medicaid ID number.
• The dates your loved one has been at the facility.
• An explanation of why you suspect fraud is being committed.

Reporting Medicaid fraud is crucial as it could open the door to other fraudulent acts the nursing home has been committing. Be sure to carefully review all invoices, account statements, and contracts to ensure you aren’t being scammed. If you are, we suggest speaking with a nursing home attorney immediately.

At Michles & Booth, the lawyer you meet with first will be the lawyer that works on your claim from start to finish. While we have a team approach, and other Michles & Booth lawyers may assist in the prosecution of the claim, the lawyer you first meet will be your point of contact throughout the process. We pride ourselves on being a full-service firm at which the lawyer assigned to your case will investigate the claim, sign you up as a client, and still be there when the last action on the claim is completed.

There are no upfront costs or fees when you work with us. Instead, our attorneys only collect fees if/when they reach a successful resolution in your case.

For more information or to schedule a free consultation with a Florida nursing home abuse attorney at our firm, call 850-438-4848.