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Nursing home negligence and abuse comes in many forms, including allowing a resident to conduct a behavior which should be considered dangerous in the resident’s condition. A case in point is the lawsuit filed in Pennsylvania in which a wife whose husband died as the result of his dropping a lit cigarette on his clothing while standing on a balcony of his residence is seeking compensation. The fire spread to the man’s room, and he later died of his injuries. The Philly Voice reported on November 25, 2016 that the operators of Fair Acres Geriatric Center violated federal nursing home regulations resulting in her husband’s death.

Records filed with the case said that the man was being treated for bipolar disease, Parkinson’s disease and a disease of the blood vessels in the brain. These diseases made it impossible for the man to independently function when eating, dressing, bathing and some other daily activities. Further court documents described an incident that happened earlier, in August 2014, in which the man burned his fingers while smoking, and according to the Department of Health and Human Services “became a supervised smoker.”

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) latest figures, in 2014, “… in the United States, there were an estimated 4,800 adult day services centers, 12,400 home health agencies, 4,000 hospices, 15,600 nursing homes, and 30,200 residential care communities. Of these approximately 67,000, 12 paid, regulated,13 long-term care services providers, 7.2% were adult day services centers, 18.5% were home health agencies, 6.0% were hospices, 23.3% were nursing homes, and 45.1% were residential care communities.”

DrugWatch.com said that, “A recent government study found that 85 percent of nursing homes reported at least one incidence of abuse or neglect in 2012. These numbers are probably higher as the Office of the Inspector General said that nursing homes only reported 53 percent of the allegations leveled at them in 2012. Other statistics count 1 in 3 elderly residents as a victim of abuse.”

 “Nursing home abuse and neglect is a serious problem in Florida with our large elder population. Should you suspect abuse or neglect, please contact the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. We are providing information below for your convenience. After contacting the department, contact our experienced team of nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys. We are here to assist you. No costs or attorney fees until you win.” said Collier County Elder Abuse Attorney, Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.

To Report Edler Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation

By Phone: Call Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873). Press 1 to report suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of the elderly or a vulnerable adult. This toll free number is available 24/7. TDD (Telephone Device for the Deaf): 1-800-453-5145

By Fax: To make a report via fax, please send a detailed written report with your name and contact telephone to 1-800-914-0004. 

Collier County Elder Abuse Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by less than 2 percent of Florida attorneys. He has handled over 1,500 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida. For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at  239. 337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839, or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com  for more information. You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.