Boca Raton Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

According to the Florida Health Care Association, there are roughly 700 licensed nursing homes in the Sunshine State, representing a total capacity of about 85,000 beds. At any one time, there are about 71,000 nursing home residents. Each and every one of these seniors deserve a safe, clean environment where they receive adequate food, shelter, and health care.

Unfortunately, we have all heard stories about nursing home residents who have suffered from abuse and mistreatment at the hands of staff, management, and even other residents. Such abuse violates Florida law. If a member of your family is currently suffering, the Boca Raton nursing home abuse lawyers at Steinberg Law are here to help you take action on their behalf.

Know Your Rights as a Florida Nursing Home Resident

Every licensed nursing home in Florida must adopt and make a public statement of a resident’s right under Florida law. Among other things, these rights must include:

• the right to religious and civil liberties;
• the right to private and uncensored communication with any person, including the right to overnight visitation with family members and friends;
• the right of reasonable access to any individual or entity that provides health, social, or legal services;
• the right to present grievances on behalf of themselves or others to nursing home staff without fear of retaliation or reprisal;
• the right to manage their own financial affairs, or if they choose to delegate that responsibility to the nursing home, to have their funds held in trust for their benefit;
• the right to receive adequate and appropriate health care and support services;
• the right to be free from mental or physical abuse, including corporal punishment and extended involuntary isolation; and
• the right to be kept informed of their own medical condition and proposed treatment–and the right to refuse medication or treatment–except in cases where they are incapable of providing informed consent under Florida law.

Under Florida law, a nursing home resident can file a civil lawsuit against a facility or individual who violates the rights described above. In addition, Florida maintains an abuse hotline to report the abuse or exploitation of any vulnerable adult, and Florida Adult Protective Services has the authority to investigate and take separate legal action against any nursing home that violates the law.

Contact Steinberg Law Today

If you suspect someone you know is the victim of nursing home abuse, it is important to take immediate action. If their life is in immediate danger, call 911. And do not hesitate to contact a qualified Boca Raton nursing home abuse lawyer. Keep in mind, Florida has a two-year statute of limitations to bring a personal injury claim involving nursing home abuse. So any delay in reporting possible nursing home abuse may compromise that resident’s ability to seek compensation for their injuries later.