nursing home abuse

Five Warning Signs of Nursing Home Neglect in Florida Facilities

Published on: October 23, 2026 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Nursing home neglect is intolerable, but it unfortunately can happen to people who are too vulnerable to speak up. It often falls upon loved ones to give residents a voice to address misconduct and seek legal remedies. While you can provide this essential support, you benefit from recognizing problems in these facilities. Consult with a Miami nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer about these careless acts that create safety risks.

Five Signs of Neglect in a Miami Assisted Living Facility

If your loved one lives in a nursing home, watch for these red flags.

What Evidence Do I Need for a Miami Nursing Home Abuse Claim?

Published on: April 3, 2026 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Misconduct in assisted living facilities is so horrific that Florida law allows multiple ways to hold them accountable. For one, the penal code makes nursing home abuse and neglect a crime, charging the offense as a felony when a person engages in intentional misconduct. In addition, residents and their loved ones may pursue a claim in civil court, enabling them to recover compensation.

As with any legal matter, evidence is critical. Your Miami nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer will explain what you need to gain leverage in settlement discussions and court.

Proving a Miami Nursing Home Abuse Claim

What is Financial Exploitation by Nursing Homes in Miami?

Published on: March 21, 2025 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

When you think of abuse and neglect in Florida nursing homes, your mind probably turns to incidents of physical, emotional, or sexual misconduct against residents. It is important to be aware of another form of mistreatment, which is the financial exploitation of vulnerable individuals. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) enforces multiple statutes related to the financial abuse of disabled, dependent, and elderly adults, including those in assisted living facilities. Those who violate the law can be subject to both criminal and civil penalties.

However, there are additional legal remedies available to residents and their families in the event of financial exploitation. You may have a claim against the facility, its administration, employees, and any other at-fault parties. A Miami nursing home abuse and neglect attorney can assist in seeking justice. Plus, some background on the relevant legal concepts is helpful.

What is Financial Exploitation by Nursing Homes in Miami?

How to Hire a Nursing Home Attorney in Miami

Published on: January 17, 2025 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

You might learn about the troubling issue of elder abuse in the US, but data reveals that the phenomenon is global in nature. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about one in six people aged 60 years and older experienced some form of abuse in the past year. This figure is estimated to be higher in institutional settings, such as assisted living facilities and nursing homes, where the abuse rate can reach up to two in three residents.

If you or a loved one suffered from neglect, abuse, or injury in a Florida nursing home, it is important to pursue both justice and compensation for your losses. Finding the right Miami nursing home abuse and neglect attorney can make a crucial difference in the process and the outcome, so some tips are helpful. These steps will walk you through how to hire the right attorney and what to expect along the way.

Initial Consultation With a Lawyer

How to Report Nursing Home Abuse in Florida

Published on: February 3, 2023 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

If you observe nursing home abuse in a Florida assisted living facility, one of the first things on your mind is notifying the proper authorities and getting officials to take appropriate action. Every US state has a procedure for reporting misconduct, and the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) is tasked with processing complaints in Florida. You can call to speak to a representative and be prepared to provide all relevant details. Alternatively, you can file a form online and include a description of your concerns. The Complaint Administration Unit will conduct an investigation and determine how to proceed, possibly requesting additional information from you.

However, even the most outrageous forms of nursing home abuse may only lead to criminal penalties and/or fines paid to the government. You will need to pursue civil remedies to recover damages, so your main priority after filing an AHCA report is retaining a Miami nursing home abuse lawyer. There are also a few additional tasks to keep in mind.

Next Steps After Reporting Nursing Home Misconduct

What is the Difference Between Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect?

Published on: August 5, 2022 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

In truth, when you see a loved one suffering in an assisted living facility, the difference between the two may not seem critical. All you want is to get the resident to safety. However, the National Council on Aging (NCOA) clarifies nursing home abuse versus neglect in reporting a disturbing statistic: Up to 5 million elderly individuals are abused every year, and passive neglect is a form of abuse. With both types of mistreatment, the harm to the resident can be severe. Physical injuries are common, and NCOA points out that the problem carries emotional consequences as well.

Aside from tracking statistics, the distinction between nursing home abuse and neglect is an important one from a legal standpoint. The concepts may affect the basis of a claim when seeking damages, as well as who you can pursue for compensation. A Miami nursing home abuse and neglect attorney can explain the implications for your case, and some information on the differences is useful.

Comparing Abuse v. Neglect in Nursing Homes

Stages of Bedsores Among Miami Nursing Home Residents

Published on: February 18, 2022 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

When you trust a Miami nursing home to provide for the health and safety of residents, it is horrifying to find out that your loved one developed bedsores because of misconduct. Statistics from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shed some light on the severity of the problem:

Anywhere from 2% to 28% of residents in assisted living facilities have developed bedsores, also termed pressure ulcers.
Individuals living in a nursing home for less than 12 months were more likely to develop these wounds than those with longer stays.

Florida Nursing Home Abuse: Signs Family Members Cannot Ignore

Published on: October 8, 2021 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

It is horrifying to learn that the assisted living facility that you carefully researched, paid, and trusted to care for an elderly loved one has shirked its legal obligations. Nursing homes have a duty to provide proper care, but statistics indicate that many fall short. Data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that around one in 10 individuals aged 60 years and older has experienced some form of elder abuse, though the true figures are likely much higher because of reporting issues. Experts estimate that just one in 24 instances of misconduct are communicated to authorities. The nature of elder care in assisted living centers typically puts family members in the position to raise concerns about the resident, who may suffer from dementia, mental decline, or related medical conditions. It is critical to contact a Miami nursing home abuse lawyer right away if you spot the following signs of nursing home abuse that you cannot ignore.

Physical Abuse

Some types of bodily harm are visible, so you are right to be disturbed if you notice bruises, abrasions, or lacerations. Still, you must remain vigilant regarding the less obvious signs of physical abuse in assisted living facilities, such as: