Florida Elder Abuse Attorney

Florida Elder Abuse Attorney

Who Is Liable in a Nursing Home Abuse Case?

Ask anyone who has moved their loved one into a nursing home, and they’ll tell you it was the hardest decision they ever made. It is hard to admit that you can no longer take care of your loved one. But it is often the only choice you have. You can’t offer your mom or dad around-the-clock care. You have a job and your own family to take care of. And, if your family is like so many others that we see, you may be the only one of your siblings who steps up and takes care of your parents. This means the decision to move them into a nursing home is left in your hands. You do your research and find a home that has a great reputation. You walk the halls and talk to the staff. You truly feel that you are placing your mom or dad in a home where they will be safe and well taken care of. When you learn that your loved one suffered nursing home abuse in Florida, you will be hurt and frustrated. You’ll also want justice.

Nursing home abuse occurs when an elderly resident at a nursing home does not receive suitable care or treatment at the expected levels. Such negligence can result in physical or personal injury, mental pain and anguish, as well as depression and other problems. Nursing home abuse is very serious because a nursing home is tasked with taking care of the elderly, who are typically unable to care for themselves. Failure to do so is a serious breach of trust. In most nursing home abuse cases, the facility is to blame for mistreatment and negligence. However, in some cases, other parties may also be responsible and liable for the abuse.

When you place your trust in a nursing home, assisted living facility, or caregiver, you expect your elderly loved one to be treated with compassion and dignity. Unfortunately, elder abuse and neglect are serious problems in Florida, often leaving vulnerable seniors physically, emotionally, and financially harmed. At Burnetti, P.A., our dedicated team is committed to protecting the rights of elderly individuals and holding abusers and negligent facilities accountable. If you suspect elder abuse, our Florida elder abuse lawyer can guide you through the legal process and fight for justice on your loved one’s behalf.

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When A Nursing Home Is Liable

A nursing home is responsible for the physical well-being, overall health and hygiene, food and other aspects of an elderly resident. Not only such care must be provided to a resident, it must also meet a certain quality of standards. When a nursing home fails to suitably provide such care, it is held in breach of the duty of care it owes to the elderly residents.

Such a breach may include:

• Not suitably providing necessities such as food or water
• Not providing timely medication or neglecting the medical needs of a person in other ways
• Not monitoring staff behavior to ensure conformance with standards
• Failure to train the staff in adequately caring for the patients
• Failure to take standard safety measures to protect the residents from any physical danger
• Failure to identify or prevent intentional abuse of the residents by the staff

These are some of the forms of negligence in which a nursing home will be held liable. For instance, if a nursing home resident slipped and fell due to water on the floor, the nursing home will be found responsible. Similarly, if there are guardrails missing or a staff member with criminal record is hired, the nursing home is liable for any losses caused by this.

The instances where a nursing home is held liable are virtually endless. If you have a loved one who has suffered abuse at a nursing home, you must contact a nursing home abuse attorney as soon as possible. The attorney will help you determine whether abuse has occurred as well as whether or not you can hold the nursing home responsible for the abuse.

There Could Be Multiple People Responsible For The Abuse And Neglect

One may think that the only person who would be responsible for a nursing home abuse case are the nurses and doctors. This isn’t the case. There could be all sorts of people liable for your loved one’s abuse and neglect. Some of these include the following:

• Aides – Certified nursing assistants or aides are often the culprits of nursing home abuse and neglect. They are the ones who are usually caught stealing from a resident. Nurses and doctors don’t typically do this. They earn enough that they would never risk going to jail or being sued for this kind of thing. But CNAs don’t make much more than minimum wage in Florida. They may be more tempted to steal from your mom or dad.
• Other residents – If your loved one is abused by another resident,, you can still sue the nursing home. They are responsible for making sure other residents don’t hurt your loved one. This includes all sorts of abuse, including physical abuse and sexual abuse. If your loved one is hurt at the hands of another resident, your nursing home abuse lawyer will file a claim against both the nursing home and the other resident.

When A Third Party Is Liable

In some cases, it is a third-party that is liable for the pain, suffering, injury and damage to residents in a nursing home. For instance, if a resident suffers due to the unexpected side-effects of a medication, it is the manufacturing company that will be held liable for the losses.

Similarly, if a resident’s wheelchair malfunctioned and caused an injury, the at-fault parties in this case may be the manufacturer, the company the maintains the wheelchair or the staff member that operates it. Malfunctions in other equipment at a nursing home can also be attributed to a third party if an inherent manufacturing flaw is found. However, if the nursing home failed to properly maintain or use the equipment, the fault will lie with the facility.

Your Florida Elder Abuse Lawyer Needs To Prove Liability In A Nursing Home Abuse Case

When you file a lawsuit against a nursing home for abuse, the burden of proof lies with you. This means that you must provide evidence to show that the nursing home failed to maintain the required standard of care and treatment. You must also demonstrate that this breach of duty of care was directly responsible for the injury or death of the victim. Documents, reports, CCTV footage and other forms of evidence can be used to back up the lawsuit.

What to Do If Your Elderly Loved One is Being Abused

If you believe your loved one is experiencing abuse or neglect, immediate action is crucial. Here’s what you should do:

1. Ensure their safety – If they are in immediate danger, call 911 or move them to a safe location.
2. Document the evidence – Take photos of injuries, living conditions, or unsafe environments. Keep records of medical reports, financial statements, and witness statements.
3. Report the abuse – In Florida, you can report suspected abuse to the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873.
4. Seek medical care – Have a healthcare provider examine your loved one for any physical or emotional harm.
5. Contact an attorney – A knowledgeable Florida elder abuse lawyer can help protect your loved one’s rights, pursue compensation, and hold the abuser accountable.

Acting quickly not only safeguards your loved one but can also help prevent further harm to other vulnerable individuals.

Elder Abuse Claim FAQs

How long do I have to file an elder abuse lawsuit in Florida?

Florida’s statute of limitations varies depending on the type of claim. In many cases, you have two years from the date the abuse was discovered (or should have been discovered) to take legal action. However, deadlines can be shorter or longer in certain situations, so it’s important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

What compensation can my loved one receive in an elder abuse case?

Possible compensation may include medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, relocation costs, and, in some cases, punitive damages meant to punish especially harmful conduct.

How can I prove elder abuse?

Evidence may include medical records, witness testimony, photographs, financial documents, facility inspection reports, and expert opinions. An experienced lawyer can help gather and present this evidence effectively.

Can I file a claim if the abuse happened in a nursing home?

Yes. Florida nursing home residents have rights under both state and federal law. If a nursing home fails to provide proper care or violates a resident’s rights, you can pursue legal action.

What if my loved one cannot testify?

Many elderly victims are unable to testify due to illness, memory loss, or fear. Your attorney can rely on medical evidence, staff records, surveillance footage, and other forms of proof to build a strong case.

Hiring An Elder Abuse Lawyer in Florida

Nursing home abuse cases are fairly complex. As touched above, it is important to determine which party is at fault before you can file a lawsuit for negligence. Often the fault is unclear, in which case you need the services of a legal expert to first define and identify the negligence. This is where a nursing home abuse attorney can be of great help.

Here at Burnetti, P.A., our Florida elder abuse alwyers have worked with a large number of abuse cases over the years. We understand the pain, the breach of trust and the sheer negligence that is often involved in such cases. This is why we carefully work on nursing home abuse cases, identify the party at fault and then help you recover the maximum amount of damages from this party.

Doug Burnetti

Founder, Burnetti, P.A.

Board-Certified Civil Trial Lawyer and founder of Burnetti, P.A., Doug Burnetti has spent his career fighting for the injured across Florida. Known for his courtroom skill and dedication to justice, he leads a firm built on integrity, strength, and results—recognized by Florida Super Lawyers and Martindale-Hubbell® for excellence in trial advocacy.

Free case consultation call us at 1-800-287-6388

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