How are Florida nursing homes regulated?
All nursing homes in Florida must be licensed and are subject to an unannounced inspection, conducted by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, once every 15 months. In addition, a nursing home must allow state officials to enter and inspect the premises if a resident or a resident’s representative has made a complaint. State officials will provide their investigative findings to the nursing home within 60 days of the inspection.
What happens when Florida nursing homes break the rules?
Failure to adhere to nursing home laws and regulations in Florida may result in license suspension, license revocation, as well as civil and/or punitive fines. Punitive damages can amount to millions of dollars. You should contact an experienced Florida injury attorney to learn how you can obtain compensation for your injuries.
What types of damages can be obtained from nursing homes?
Recognized damages in Florida include:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Disfigurement
- Loss of normal life
- Wrongful death
What is the average dollar amount for damage awards?
This is not an easy question to answer because every situation is unique. Potential compensation varies greatly due to factors such as the level of injury or injuries suffered, the victim’s age, the level of misconduct exhibited by the nursing home, and many others. Contact the Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld P.A. to determine whether you have a valid claim against the nursing home and an evaluation of how much your case might be worth.
How long do most cases last?
Many cases are settled fairly quickly, in as little as a few weeks or months. In other situations, the case can take years to resolve. It is important to note that if the injury suffered by the victim requires ongoing medical treatment, it is usually best to not accept a settlement before the injury has been treated successfully. Otherwise, you won’t have an accurate idea of the costs involved and the damages that may be obtained.
What if a nursing home’s risk manager or lawyer contacts me about an injury?
You should not discuss the situation with these nursing home representatives, even if they seem nice and act like they want to help you. They represent the nursing home, not you, and their primary goal is to protect the nursing home and minimize potential damages. You should contact our office as soon as possible to obtain your own representation.
