If you were injured due to someone else's negligence, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Contact one of our experienced lawyers at (561) 293-2600 for legal advice and representation.
If your family member has been mistreated in a nursing home, now is the time to take a stand. Call (561) 293-2600 to speak with someone who will treat your case with care and hold the facility accountable.
Legally Reviewed By
Joseph Osborne
As our loved ones grow older, it’s natural to want to ensure the best care possible for them. Aging can come with expanded care needs, which sometimes means finding a nursing home where that care can be constant and attentive. Unfortunately, some nursing home experiences can result in the negligence or abuse of our senior family members.
There has been a measurable increase in elder neglect during the COVID-19 pandemic. With these risks, the choice to place a loved one in a care facility can be even more stressful. Choosing to place a loved one into the care of a facility should be a decision that helps relieve stress, not create more of it.
If you suspect that your loved one is a victim of nursing home negligence, there’s no time to waste. Call Osborne & Francis today at (561) 293-2600, or contact us online so that our Orlando nursing home abuse attorneys can help your loved one get the care and dignity they deserve.
“Dealing with the Osborne & Francis group is fantastic. They were there for me every step of my case, explaining everything in detail, and their communication skills are impeccable. I would recommend this law group to all my friends and family, just like myself. I contacted the group through a friend. Thanks to the team of Osborne & Francis for your hard work and dedication.”
- Tara B. | Client
Video Transcript
So you've been in a car accident. What happens next? There are many things that you should do but here are the three most important:
Number One: See a doctor immediately.
A broken bone is easy to see, but some injuries are not. The most common injuries from car accidents happen in the neck, back, or head. The only way to diagnose and treat them is by seeing a doctor. A doctor can help ease the pain, provide medication, reassure you of how your injury may impact your daily life, and tell you what not to do to make it worse.
A visit to the doctor can also give you legally protected time off to recover and rest your body after an accident, and it documents and provides the evidence you may need for your case. Even a five-mile-per-hour car accident can cause a serious injury. So whether you've had a severe accident or a minor collision, see a doctor. And if you don't have medical insurance, let us know and we'll make sure that you receive the proper care.
Number Two: Write everything down.
Even if it seems small, during times of stress or injury it is common to forget the little details. Make sure you keep note of the pain that you're in. With neck, back, and head injuries, sometimes simple activities such as walking up the stairs or picking up a toddler may cause severe pain.
You may not be sleeping well at night. Documenting how much you sleep and how often you wake up due to pain is also very important. And lastly, if you have any cuts or bruises, take daily photos as you heal. This will provide visual evidence of the injuries that you've suffered.
Number Three: Do not speak to an insurance company until you've spoken to a lawyer.
Please understand that the insurance adjuster works for a billion-dollar corporation and not for you. Their interests are solely for their insurance company, and their goal is to provide you with the least amount of financial settlement as quickly as possible. When you do speak with them, remember they will record the conversation. Why do they do this? Because they've been trained to ask questions that may confuse you. So talk to us before you talk to them.
So remember: See a doctor, document everything, and call us before calling the insurance company for your free private consultation. We are here for you. Real tough lawyers fighting real tough issues.
Choosing a nursing home for a loved one is a big decision. Families want to feel confident that their parents or grandparents are safe, respected, and cared for. Sadly, some nursing homes fall short, and the statistics can be eye-opening.
Here are some important facts to know about nursing homes and abuse in Orlando and across Florida:
There are 74 nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities in the Orlando metropolitan area.
Between 2017 and 2021, there were 993 cases of residents leaving their nursing homes without permission or supervision in Florida. These incidents, known as “elopements,” happened nearly four times a week on average.
Florida nursing homes care for about 71,000 residents at any given time. While elopements are rare, they can be very dangerous, especially for seniors with dementia.
The number of seniors (age 65 and older) living in Orlando is growing, from 8.8% in 2010 to 10.9% in 2018.
In 2022, Florida nursing homes saw a rise in serious violations. Many of these involved issues that put elderly residents in immediate danger.
Since 2019, the number of serious violations in Florida nursing homes has nearly doubled compared to the previous six years.
In just one year, 83 nursing homes were cited for creating unsafe conditions for older adults.
What Types of Abuse Can an Orlando Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer Help With?
Abuse covers an extensive scope of possible forms of mistreatment. Whatever form it comes in, though, all abuse and negligence are unethical and can be considered medical malpractice. Five common types of nursing home abuse that most often occur in these settings include:
Physical Abuse: Any use of force or violence against an elderly person constitutes physical abuse. This includes hitting, pushing, grabbing, or using too much force.
Sexual Abuse: Forced or non-consensual sexual contact or comments of any kind imposed upon a victim qualify as sexual abuse. Possible forms of sexual abuse in nursing homes include sexual remarks, unwanted touching or kissing, forcing the resident to remove clothing, making residents view pornographic images or videos, rape, and more.
Financial Abuse: This can happen when someone steals money, changes someone’s will, misuses credit cards, or pressures a resident into giving away property.
Neglect: When caregivers fail to provide basic needs like food, water, clean clothes, medications, or help with bathing, it’s considered neglect. It can lead to things like dehydration, infections, or poor hygiene.
Psychological Abuse: Repeated insults, belittling, isolation, or withholding resources can all be forms of psychological abuse. This type of abuse can be harder to spot, but it’s just as harmful.
Warning Signs of Nursing Home Negligence and Abuse
Because abuse can take many forms, it’s not always easy to tell when something is wrong, especially when the signs are subtle.
For each discrete type of abuse, there are multiple possible warning signs. If you suspect that your loved one is being abused, you should be on the lookout for any of the following:
Physical: Frequent scrapes, cuts, bruises, sprains, dislocated joints, broken bones, or head injuries. If your loved one is being hospitalized often or the staff give vague or inconsistent explanations about how injuries happened, it’s worth asking more questions.
Psychological: Signs may include sudden mood changes, such as depression, anxiety, or irritability, especially if these symptoms seem to come out of nowhere. Victims might also seem withdrawn, fearful, or unusually quiet. They may avoid eye contact or stop taking part in social activities they used to enjoy.
Sexual: This can be more difficult to detect, but possible signs include unexplained bleeding or injuries in the genital or pelvic area, trouble walking or sitting, or new diagnoses of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). A sudden fear of certain staff members may also be a warning sign.
Neglect: If your loved one is showing signs of weight loss, dehydration, poor hygiene, or untreated medical issues, they may not be getting the care they need. Look for dirty clothes or bedding, strong odors, missed medications, or signs that basic needs are not being met.
Financial: Keep an eye on your loved one’s bank accounts, credit card activity, and personal belongings. Look out for missing money, unpaid bills, unusual purchases, or changes to legal documents like powers of attorney.
Am I Eligible to Work With a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in Orlando?
In Florida, lawsuits against nursing homes can be filed by a few different parties. The victim themself can file a lawsuit if they are of sound mind and able to do so. If they cannot, a legal guardian can file a lawsuit on their behalf. It is not uncommon for a nursing home resident to lack the ability to file a lawsuit, so a guardian’s action is fairly typical.
Someone acting on the victim’s behalf can also file a lawsuit. This typically requires explicit permission from the victim, except in the case of death. In the tragic event that a loved one has passed away due to abusive behavior in a nursing home, an estate representative can file on the victim’s behalf.
When talking to a loved one about possible negligence or abuse, remember to approach the conversation with the knowledge that they are a victim of their situation. They may be afraid to talk about their experience at first, fearing repercussions for their safety. Consider a few things to make them feel comfortable, such as providing a private place to talk.
Making your loved one feel safe to speak openly is essential to assessing whether or not legal action is needed. If you do suspect nursing home abuse, the Orlando nursing home abuse attorneys at our firm are just a call away at (561) 293-2600 or by filling out our quick online form.
How Can an Orlando Nursing Home Negligence Lawyer Help My Loved One?
They spent their lives caring for you, and now it’s your turn to protect them.
When we place a loved one in a nursing home, it’s because we hope they’ll receive the kind of care, attention, and respect that we may not have the time, training, or resources to give—care that treats them like family. So when someone takes advantage of that trust and harms one of the most vulnerable people in our lives, it’s more than just wrong. It’s unforgivable.
We understand that these cases are emotional, but they also rely on facts, evidence, and insight. A team of Orlando nursing home abuse lawyers will approach the investigation with the urgency needed. Here’s how they help build a strong case for your loved one:
Understanding the Facility’s Duty of Care: Your attorney will review the admissions agreement and care plan to determine exactly what the nursing home promised to provide and how it broke that promise.
Reviewing Medical Records: Detailed medical charts often hold the truth. Your lawyer will examine any hospital visits that took place, injury reports, medication logs, and care notes to trace patterns of neglect or abuse. They may also request internal records like care reports or staffing schedules.
Speaking With Witnesses: Caregivers, other residents, visitors, or even former employees may have seen or heard things that can help uncover what really went on.
Inspecting the Nursing Home: Your attorney may personally visit the facility to observe the conditions, take photos, and look for hazards or signs of neglect, such as understaffing, unsanitary rooms, or broken safety equipment.
What Damages Can Orlando Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Recover for My Family?
A nursing home negligence lawsuit may result in the recovery of damages related to the abuse. These can take several forms, but the most common include the following:
Medical expenses, both past and future, related to the consequences of abuse.
Pain and suffering for mental anguish experienced by both you and your loved one.
Lost wages for the time you took off work to care for your loved one due to the neglect.
Attorney costs.
Additional financial losses.
In fact, taking legal action with professional support makes a real difference. A 2016 Martindale-Nolo survey found that more than 9 out of 10 people who had a personal injury lawyer received a settlement or award, compared to only about half of those who tried to handle their case alone.
When the well-being of someone you love is on the line, the right attorney can make all the difference. The team at Osborne & Francis has recovered millions on behalf of clients who faced negligent treatment, including $2.75 million for a patient who suffered brain damage after being left alone in a psychiatric unit in a hospital and $1.25 million for woman who had her leg amputated after physicians delayed in diagnosing a foot injury.
Who Is Most at Risk for Nursing Home Abuse?
T. Andrews
“Attorneys Greg Francis and Ryan Fletcher at Osborne & Francis Law Firm represented me in my personal injury case.The defendant drew a line in the sand and was adamant on a settlement amount I was almost willing to accept. After the dust settled and the smoke cleared, we settled for 3 times that amount!!! When they say ‘Real Tough Lawyers,’ they mean it.”
C. Smith
“I am so thankful for EVERYONE, the entire staff at Osborne & Francis Law, for mentoring me through the mediation process with my hip replacement failures. I didn't realize how MUCH pressure they relieved me of by helping me deal with the reality of this traumatic time in my life, as it was OVER so quickly with a positive result. My family is grateful to have their mom HAPPY & FOCUSED on the future, rather than worrying over what happened in the past! FAST FORWARD, we are LIVING LIFE to the fullest once again!”
J. Davis
“I couldn’t have asked for a better lawyer/ firm — everything was done professionally exactly how I wanted. Due to COVID my personal attorney Mr. Garcia was still able to make things work in a timely manner and he never made me feel like he wasn’t working. Overall I’m happy with how my case turned out and I would recommend him and this law firm to anyone. 100% satisfied.”
E. Holland
Dennis and the other Osborne & Francis staff were amazing! Our case was HUGE and required tender loving care. Everyone on our case did their part by putting all the puzzle pieces together. We were given step by step updates and put at ease when our nerves got the best of us. For every inquiry we made we received a timely response...You are appreciated!
Alfred
Quick and fair resolution to a unique case. On advice of my own attorney, I engaged Joseph Osborne of Osborne & Francis of Boca Raton, FL. Mr. Osborne had considerable experience in cases such as mine and the results showed that. Mr. Osborne and his staff were very helpful, kept me up to date, and listened to my input. The settlement was very fair as far as I am concerned.
Erica F.
"Best personal injury attorney around, I could not be happier! I was seriously injured in a car accident and Osborne and Francis helped me through the entire process. I was blown away by how knowledgeable the staff and attorneys are at this incredible law firm. I would not hesitate to recommend this law firm to friends and family!"
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Why Hire Osborne and Francis for Your Nursing Home Negligence Case?
Osborne & Francis is a team of dedicated and experienced lawyers who want to ensure justice is served on your loved one’s behalf.
With over a decade of experience and hundreds of successful elder negligence and abuse cases under our belts, we know how to investigate a case on your behalf and ensure that victims are given the compensation they deserve.
If you suspect that your loved one is a victim of nursing home negligence, it’s critical not to waste time. If your loved one is in an abusive situation, there is an ongoing danger to their well-being.
Don’t wait. Contact Osborne & Francis today online or call us at (561) 293-2600 today to schedule a free case evaluation so your loved one can get the peace and the compensation they are owed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Orlando Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect FAQs
Who Is Most at Risk for Nursing Home Abuse?
Abuse can happen to any older adult, but those most at risk are people who depend on others for daily care, such as help with bathing, dressing, or taking medications. Women, individuals with disabilities, memory loss, or dementia, and those without nearby family or support systems may be especially vulnerable.
Can I File a Lawsuit if My Loved One Died From Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect?
Yes. If your loved one passed away due to abuse or neglect in a nursing home, your family may be able to file a wrongful death claim. This type of claim can help you recover compensation for medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, loss of inheritance or benefits, and the emotional impact of losing their love and companionship.
How Long Do I Have to File a Nursing Home Abuse Claim in Orlando?
In Florida, you typically have two years from the date the abuse or neglect occurred or from the time it was discovered to file a legal claim. That means families in Orlando have a limited window to take action, so it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.
What Can I Do to Help Prevent Nursing Home Abuse?
One of the best ways to protect your loved one is to stay involved in their care. Visit regularly, ask questions about how they are doing, and watch for any changes in their mood, appearance, or health. Building a relationship with the staff can improve communication and help you stay informed.