Nursing Home Abuse

Central Florida Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Check Icon
No Fees Unless We Win
Check Icon
Free & Confidential Case Evaluation
Check Icon
Client-Focused Approach
Check Icon
50+ Years of Personal Injury Experience
banner image

Defending the Rights of Nursing Home Residents in Central Florida

An elderly man looking out of a nursing home window, representing Rue & Ziffra's commitment to addressing nursing home abuse cases.

At Rue & Ziffra, we understand that entrusting a loved one to the care of a nursing home is a significant decision fraught with concern for their well-being. Unfortunately, the disturbing reality is that nursing home abuse is a prevalent issue, with vulnerable seniors suffering from neglect and various forms of abuse. Armed with decades of experience and a deep commitment to justice, our personal injury attorneys are dedicated to confronting this injustice head-on, ensuring that victims in Volusia and Flagler Counties receive the protection and respect they deserve. Call now for a free consultation with a Central Florida nursing home abuse lawyer.

The Alarming Reality of Nursing Home Abuse

Statistics from authoritative bodies like the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) and the National Council on Aging (NCOA) paint a grim picture of the elder abuse landscape, highlighting that:

  • An estimated 10% of seniors experience neglect or abuse
  • Nearly half of seniors with dementia face abuse
  • A significant portion of abuse cases go unreported, with only one in fourteen cases brought to light

These figures underscore the critical importance of vigilance and taking action in the face of suspected abuse. Do not hestitate to reach out to our team of attorneys in Central Florida if you suspect your loved one is suffering from nursing home abuse.

Comprehensive Legal Support Against Nursing Home Abuse

Rue & Ziffra has been a steadfast advocate for the rights of nursing home residents since 1976. Our knowledge in personal injury and wrongful death claims, combined with our local roots, positions us uniquely as “Your Local Attorneys” for confronting nursing home abuse in our community. Our lawyers tackle nursing home abuse cases across Central Florida involving:

  • Physical and Sexual Abuse: Addressing all forms of physical harm and non-consensual sexual acts
  • Psychological and Verbal Abuse: Confronting actions that cause emotional harm or distress
  • Neglect and Abandonment: Advocating for residents left without proper care or forcibly isolated
  • Financial Exploitation: Protecting seniors from theft and manipulation of their financial resources
  • Willful Deprivation: Ensuring access to necessary medical care, nutrition, and assistive devices

Why Choose Rue & Ziffra for Nursing Home Abuse Claims?

Local Advocacy

As a firm deeply rooted in our community, we offer unparalleled understanding and accessibility for victims of nursing home abuse in Central Florida.

Extensive Experience

Our team’s collective 195+ years of legal experience equips us with the knowledge and resources to pursue even the most challenging abuse cases.

Committed to Justice

Our passion for protecting the most vulnerable members of our society drives us to achieve meaningful outcomes for our clients, holding abusers and negligent facilities accountable.

Our Attorneys Can Help You Take Action Against an Abusive Nursing Home in Central Florida

Recognizing the signs of nursing home abuse is the first step toward protecting your loved one. Whether it’s unexplained injuries, sudden changes in behavior, or financial irregularities, these warning signs demand immediate attention. Rue & Ziffra is ready to take swift action, providing the compassionate support and professional representation needed to navigate these complex cases.

If you suspect that a loved one is suffering from abuse in a nursing home, don’t hesitate to reach out and schedule a free consultation with a Central Florida nursing home abuse lawyer. During an initial consultation, we will discuss your concerns, evaluate the situation, and outline the steps we can take together to secure safety and justice. With Rue & Ziffra, you’re not just hiring a lawyer; you’re gaining a team committed to protecting your family’s rights and well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

When visiting a loved one in a nursing home, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of neglect and abuse. This includes warning signs for potential abuse within the nursing home itself, as well as symptoms exhibited by your loved one. Conditions and symptoms that may be evidence of abuse include:

  • Agitation or emotional withdrawal
  • Bedsores (pressure ulcers)
  • Injuries consistent with falls
  • Malnutrition or dehydration
  • Medications being used too slowly or too quickly
  • Residents or staff members not being willing to openly discuss apparent signs of abuse
  • Untreated injuries and infections
  • Unexplained changes in behavior, such as mood swings or fear of being touched
  • Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
  • Unsanitary living conditions in the resident’s room or unclean conditions in other areas of the nursing home

The Braden Scale for Predicting Pressure Ulcer Risk is an assessment tool that medical professionals use to assess potential risk factors for bed sores for senior citizens. It focuses on six risk factors in particular:

  • Sensory perception (pain sensitivity)
  • Skin moisture
  • Physical activity level
  • Mobility
  • Nutrition
  • Friction and shear (breakdown of the cell membranes and capillaries connecting the bone to the skin, typically resulting from sliding in beds and chairs)

Physicians rate each risk factor on a scale of one to four (with one being the highest level of risk), and appropriate care practices will be determined based on the senior’s overall score:

  • Very High Risk: total score of 9 or less
  • High Risk: total score of 10 to 12
  • Moderate Risk: total score of 13 to 14
  • Mild Risk: total score of 15 to 18
  • No-Risk: total score of 19 to 23 (“friction and shear” is only graded on a scale of one to three)

The Minimum Data Set (MDS) process is part of the U.S. Medicare and Medicaid system. In order for a nursing home to receive certification to bill Medicare or Medicaid, they must assess their residents’ health conditions based on a list of 15 criteria established by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The categories for assessment under the MDS are:

  • Cognitive patterns
  • Communication and hearing patterns
  • Vision patterns
  • Physical functioning and structural problems
  • Continence
  • Psychosocial well-being
  • Mood and behavior patterns
  • Activity pursuit patterns
  • Disease diagnoses
  • Other health conditions
  • Oral/nutritional status
  • Oral/dental status
  • Skin condition
  • Medication use
  • Treatments and procedures

In most cases, the statute of limitations for nursing home abuse claims is two years from the date of discovery under Florida law. However, there are some important exceptions.

Section 429.296(1) of the Florida Statutes sets a cap of four years from the date of the incident. In other words, if it has been less than two years since you discovered the abuse but more than four years since the abuse actually occurred, then the statute of limitations may have expired.

However, under Section 429.296(2), the statute of limitations can be extended in cases where the nursing home fraudulently concealed or intentionally misrepresented information in order to prevent the discovery of the abuse. In this scenario, the statute of limitations is, “2 years from the time that the injury is discovered with the exercise of due diligence, but in no event not more than 6 years from the date the incident giving rise to the injury occurred.”

If you are concerned that the statute of limitations for your claim may have expired, we encourage you to contact us promptly for a free consultation. It is important that you not make any assumptions that could jeopardize your legal rights. We can thoroughly assess the facts of your case to determine your legal options; and if necessary, we can initiate pre-suit proceedings immediately to protect you or your loved one.

Serving Your Community for Over 50 Years.
We Have 8 Convenient Office Locations to Serve You.
Port Orange
632 Dunlawton Ave.,
Port Orange, FL 32127
Get Directions
DeLand
101 N. Woodland Blvd.,
DeLand, FL 32720
Get Directions
Palm Coast
4879 Palm Coast NW,
Palm Coast, FL 32137
Get Directions
Daytona Beach
1616 Concierge Blvd.,
Daytona Beach, FL 32117
Get Directions
Deltona
1676 Providence Blvd,
Deltona, FL 32725
Get Directions
Ormond Beach
555 W Granada Blvd,
Ormond Beach, FL 32174
Get Directions
Lake Mary
1540 International Pkwy,
Lake Mary, FL 32746
Get Directions
Winter Park
941 W Morse Blvd.,
Winter Park, FL 32789
Get Directions

Rue & Ziffra – Your Trusted Personal Injury Lawyers

Rue & Ziffra – Your Trusted Personal Injury Lawyers N/a
Port Orange 632 Dunlawton Ave.,
Port Orange, FL 32127
Get Directions
DeLand 101 N. Woodland Blvd.,
DeLand, FL 32720
Get Directions
Palm Coast 4879 Palm Coast NW,
Palm Coast, FL 32137
Get Directions
Daytona Beach 1616 Concierge Blvd.,
Daytona Beach, FL 32117
Get Directions
Deltona 1676 Providence Blvd,
Deltona, FL 32725
Get Directions
Ormond Beach 555 W Granada Blvd,
Ormond Beach, FL 32174
Get Directions
Lake Mary 1540 International Pkwy,
Lake Mary, FL 32746
Get Directions
Winter Park 941 W Morse Blvd.,
Winter Park, FL 32789
Get Directions