Florida Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
Families across Miami, Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Coral Gables, and other South Florida communities place their faith in care facilities to provide dignity and comfort. When that trust is violated, you need experienced Florida nursing home abuse lawyers who understand both the law and the human side of these cases.
At Flaxman Law Group, we’ve seen firsthand how abuse and neglect in long-term care settings devastate families. These cases are about your mother not getting her medication, your father left in unsafe conditions, or your spouse treated without compassion. For more than 60 years combined, our family-run law firm has been helping South Florida families hold negligent facilities accountable.
We know how urgent and personal these cases are, so we can set up a free consultation quickly. If you or your family member may be affected by nursing home abuse or neglect, reach out for your free consultation.
Why Choose Flaxman Law Group in Nursing Home Abuse Cases?
When choosing an attorney for nursing home abuse cases, experience and compassion both matter. Flaxman Law Group brings a rare combination of skills and experiences to the table:
Direct Communication With Your Attorneys
We’re a father-and-son team deeply rooted in South Florida. That means when you call, you don’t get passed off to case managers or junior associates. You get us. From the first consultation through resolution, we handle your case ourselves, ensuring consistency and focus.
In addition, we work hard to ensure communication stays consistent and positive. We give you the cell phone number of your attorney, so you can remain in touch. We speak Spanish, English, and Creole, so we can speak in the language you are most comfortable communicating in. We also never use jargon and always explain legal concepts and laws clearly and thoroughly. We answer your questions, treat you with respect, and reply to your calls and emails promptly.
Our clients often tell us that this personal approach gives them peace of mind during an otherwise difficult time.
Insurance Industry Insight
Before representing injured people, our team worked in insurance defense and claims adjusting. We know the strategies nursing homes, insurers, and corporate defense teams use to avoid responsibility. That insight allows us to anticipate moves and press for maximum compensation through negotiation or in court.
Big Results Without Big-Firm Detachment
Our track record speaks volumes: nearly $1 billion recovered for injured clients, including multiple seven-figure outcomes. But unlike high-volume firms that may treat you like a number, we get to know your family and your situation. That personal attention makes a difference in how we build cases and present them to juries. It also makes a difference in how you move through the legal system.
Support Beyond Legal Paperwork
Families often need help finding safe new care facilities, coordinating medical evaluations, or reporting incidents to state agencies. We go beyond what most firms do, helping clients navigate these practical challenges at no additional cost.
Local Trust and Reputation
With offices in Miami, Hollywood, and Homestead, we’re your neighbors. Our 4.9-star Google rating, based on hundreds of reviews, reflects the trust we’ve built in South Florida communities over decades. We’re proud that families recommend us because they know we combine compassion with results.
In addition, you never pay upfront fees. You only pay legal fees if and when we win your case.
Recognizing the Signs of Nursing Home Abuse in Florida
One of the hardest parts for families is knowing when “something isn’t right.” Nursing home abuse isn’t always obvious, and staff may dismiss concerns as normal aging. But there are red flags to watch for.
The first thing you may notice are physical signs. These may include:
- Unexplained bruises, injuries, or fractures, especially if staff can’t give a clear account of how they occurred.
- Bedsores or pressure ulcers, which are often a result of neglect in repositioning bedridden residents.
- Frequent falls, which may signal unsafe conditions or inadequate supervision.
Sometimes, there are no physical signs but there may be emotional or behavioral signs. You may notice:
- Withdrawal or fearfulness, where a once-social loved one suddenly becomes quiet, anxious, or hesitant around staff.
- Sudden changes in mood, which can include crying spells, irritability, or depression without medical cause.
- Reluctance to speak when staff are nearby.
There are also signs in the nursing home itself that could indicate something could potentially be wrong. Families who visit may notice:
- Unclean rooms or strong odors, pointing to neglect.
- Staffing shortages, which cause call lights to go unanswered or residents to wait long periods for help.
- Personal belongings missing.
- Lack of stimulating activities or things to do.
- Rooms that are too hot or too cold for the weather or residents that are not dressed adequately for the weather.
In Florida, with its large senior population, regulators receive thousands of nursing home complaints each year. Facilities in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, in particular, face ongoing scrutiny for understaffing and repeated violations. While state and federal agencies conduct inspections, families are often the first to notice warning signs. If something feels wrong, trust your instincts. Even though some of these signs may not automatically prove abuse, if you notice or feel something is wrong, take action.
Types of Abuse and Neglect in Florida Care Facilities
Abuse can take many forms. Some common types of mistreatment include:
- Physical abuse. Sometimes residents are struck, restrained inappropriately, or ignored when they need assistance walking, leading to preventable harm.
- Emotional or psychological abuse. This can include raised voices, mocking, or intentionally isolating a resident.
- Neglect. Understaffing or indifference can mean residents don’t get the basic care they need, which means they suffer malnutrition or other harms.
- Financial exploitation. Financial abuse can mean missing checks, unauthorized credit card use, or sudden changes to wills or powers of attorney. Sadly, trusted staff or even outside vendors sometimes target vulnerable seniors.
- Sexual abuse. This includes any unwanted sexual contact or inappropriate behavior. Often, this goes unreported because victims are embarrassed or physically unable to communicate.
- Medical abuse and negligence. In some cases, residents are kept heavily medicated so they will sleep and stay compliant. In other cases, residents aren’t given the right medication, are denied medical care, or are given the wrong doses. This can lead to severe complications and even fatalities.
At Flaxman Law Group, we encourage families to document concerns, request care records, and trust their instincts. When something feels off, it often is.
Legal Protections for Nursing Home Residents
Florida has some of the nation’s strongest protections for nursing home residents, but many families don’t realize the full scope of these rights. Knowing them can help you act quickly if you suspect abuse or neglect. Residents in Florida care facilities are legally entitled to the following under Section 400.022 of the Florida Statutes:
- A safe and decent living environment free from abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
- Proper medical care, including prompt attention to injuries, infections, or other health issues.
- Dignity and privacy, which means they cannot be humiliated, ignored, or restricted without cause.
- Communication and visitation rights, so families can stay connected and monitor care.
- Access to legal representation and the right to report grievances without retaliation.
Florida’s laws make it clear that facilities are responsible for upholding these protections. Yet, violations continue, often tied to cost-cutting measures and inadequate staffing.
At Flaxman Law Group, we’ve represented families across South Florida who were told their loved one’s decline was “just old age.” In reality, investigations revealed preventable bedsores, missed medications, or even retaliation when residents spoke up.
We help clients file official complaints with the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), preserve medical records before they disappear, and connect with trusted doctors who can evaluate whether injuries are consistent with abuse or neglect.
We also know how insurance companies behind these facilities operate, because we used to work for them. That insight helps us anticipate their tactics, from denying responsibility to offering low settlements. Our knowledge of personal injury law also allows us to file claims, where appropriate, to help families seek justice and compensation.
Contact Flaxman Law Group Today
For a free, no-obligation consultation. We are available 24/7, and there is never a fee unless we win.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for Elder Abuse?
Under Florida law, multiple parties may be accountable for abuse or neglect, depending on the circumstances. Those who may be held liable include:
- Individual staff members, including nurses, aides, or orderlies who directly cause harm through abuse, neglect, or failure to provide care.
- Facility management.
- Parent corporations or investors.
- Third-party vendors, including companies providing food, medication, or security services.
- Medical professionals associated with the facility.
Under Florida law, anyone who contributed to the abuse or neglect through intentional action or negligence may be held liable. In nursing home abuse cases, there are often multiple liable parties. For example, a growing number of care facilities are owned by large, national corporations. When abuse happens, the abusive staff member may be held liable, but the corporation may also be held liable if they failed to exercise caution and reasonable procedures when hiring.
What to Do if You Suspect Abuse or Neglect
If you do notice signs of nursing home abuse, what should you do? We recommend the following:
- Document everything. Take photos of injuries, notes of conversations, and dates of incidents. Write down and record anything you can.
- Talk to your loved one gently. They may feel embarrassed, ashamed, or even fearful of retaliation. Ask open-ended questions and reassure them they are safe to share.
- Report concerns immediately. Make reports both to facility management and to the Florida Department of Children and Families Adult Protective Services hotline.
- Seek medical evaluation. An outside doctor can help confirm or rule out abuse. A medical professional can also start treatment plans for any mental health or physical injuries.
- Contact experienced Florida nursing home abuse lawyers. Legal guidance ensures that evidence is preserved and your loved one’s rights are fully protected. A Florida nursing home abuse lawyer can launch a claim if you have the basis for one.
If you don’t know what to do, contact Flaxman Law Group for a free consultation with a Florida nursing home abuse attorney. In many situations, families and friends find their concerns dismissed. An attorney can follow up, secure evidence, and take action to protect you or your family member.
How a Florida Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Can Help
When you partner with Flaxman Law Group, you’re working with a legal team with the skills and experience to help. Here’s what we do for families like yours:
- Conduct independent investigations. Our team interviews witnesses, reviews surveillance, and works with medical experts to uncover what really happened.
- Protect your loved one from retaliation. Sadly, some families fear that speaking up could worsen conditions. Having an attorney involved sends a clear message: your loved one is not alone, and their rights will be defended.
- Navigate the insurance system. With more than 60 years of combined experience, including time spent inside the insurance industry, our attorneys know the tactics insurers use to deny or undervalue elder abuse claims. We anticipate those moves and fight for the compensation your family deserves.
- Handle the details so you can focus on family. From medical referrals in Kendall or Hollywood to guidance on transitioning your loved one to a safer facility, we provide hands-on support beyond the legal claim itself.
- Guide you through the legal process. You may have a personal injury claim against the facility and staff, but the process for getting compensation and filing a claim is complicated. Your lawyer will explain your rights and options clearly, so you understand what is happening.
Nursing home facilities, especially those owned by large corporations, have entire legal teams by their side. When abuse occurs, these teams take immediate steps to protect the facility and not your family member. When you work with Flaxman Law Group, you have a dedicated attorney who is protecting the rights of your family. If you have a personal injury claim, we can work to maximize recovery, so you and your family have the necessary resources to pay for medical care, mental health support, and safe care for your abuse family member.
Gathering Evidence to Support an Elder Abuse Claim
Strong evidence is the foundation of a successful elder abuse case. Unfortunately, nursing homes often move quickly to cover their tracks when complaints arise. That’s why acting promptly is so critical. Here are some ways families can help build a strong case:
- Keep a timeline. Write down every instance of neglect or abuse you suspect, along with dates and who was present. Even small details, like a skipped meal or a medication delay, can reveal a larger pattern of misconduct.
- Collect records. Medical charts, medication logs, and even visitor sign-in sheets can play a key role. Facilities may resist sharing records, but your attorney can demand them through formal legal channels.
- Take photographs and videos. If you notice bedsores, restraints, or unsanitary conditions, visual evidence can be powerful. For example, photos of a loved one left for hours in soiled linens can demonstrate neglect more clearly than words alone.
- Preserve clothing and bedding. These items may show evidence of neglect or injury and should not be discarded.
- Identify potential witnesses. Other residents, visitors, or even staff may be willing to speak about what they’ve seen.
At Flaxman Law Group, we guide families step by step through this process. We know local facilities in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, and we’re familiar with the common defenses they try to raise. Because we’ve worked inside the insurance industry, we also understand how adjusters evaluate evidence, and how to present your case in a way that compels results.
We also help families connect with trusted doctors who can provide independent assessments, and we assist with arranging new care options if you decide to move your loved one to a different facility. Few firms go this far, but we believe protecting your loved one means addressing the whole picture, not just the lawsuit.
Reporting Nursing Home Abuse in Florida
If you suspect abuse in a Florida nursing home, taking the right steps quickly can protect your loved one and potentially save others from harm. In Florida, nursing homes are regulated by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). You can report suspected abuse directly to AHCA or call the Florida Department of Children and Families’ Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873. In emergencies, always call 911 first.
But while reporting is essential, it doesn’t always stop the mistreatment. Families often find that facilities push back, deny wrongdoing, or downplay what happened. This is where contacting Florida nursing home abuse lawyers becomes critical. At Flaxman Law Group, we’ve seen how some facilities put profits over patient care. We step in not only to hold them accountable but also to protect your family from being silenced by corporate tactics.
Compensation Available in Nursing Home Abuse Cases
Families often hesitate to think about money after discovering abuse, but compensation is about accountability and ensuring your loved one receives the care they deserve. Seeking full damages ensures you have the resources to help your family member.
Florida nursing home abuse lawyers can help pursue damages that reflect both the harm suffered and the long-term impact on your family. Compensation may include:
- Medical expenses, including hospitalization for injuries, physical therapy, medical devices, mental health care, medication, and ongoing treatment.
- Pain and suffering.
- Relocation costs if you have needed to move your loved one to a safer facility.
- Property damage, if a resident’s private property was stolen or damaged.
In cases of gross negligence or intentional harm, Florida courts may award additional damages to punish wrongdoing. In cases where a resident has passed away due to nursing home abuse or neglect, families may have a wrongful death claim. This helps them seek compensation for final medical bills, pain and suffering, funeral expenses, and more.
At Flaxman Law Group, we’ve recovered nearly $1 billion for injured clients, which are results that rival the biggest firms, while still treating clients like neighbors. Many families appreciate the compassion we show because the journey to fair recovery is not always easy. Nursing homes and the corporations that own them work hard to minimize claims and even to hide what happened. With our more than 60 years of combined experience, we know how to fight back and how to seek fair compensation and justice for you.
Florida Laws and Deadlines for Filing a Claim
Under Florida Statutes Section 400, nursing home residents have a clear bill of rights. These include the right to adequate healthcare, privacy, dignity, and freedom from abuse or neglect. When facilities fail to uphold these rights, they can be held liable.
In most nursing home abuse cases, families have two years from the date of discovery of the abuse or neglect to file a lawsuit. This is known as the statute of limitations. However, determining the exact “date of discovery” can be complicated. For example, if you only later learn that repeated falls were due to understaffing, the clock may start when the connection becomes clear, not the date of the fall itself. Because facilities and insurers often argue the statute has expired, having experienced Florida nursing home abuse lawyers on your side is crucial.
Another Florida-specific rule is the pre-suit notice requirement. Before filing a lawsuit, families must provide written notice to the facility, which then has 75 days to respond. During this time, the nursing home may try to negotiate, but they also often use it as a delay tactic. Flaxman Law Group knows how to keep these conversations moving so your family isn’t stuck in limbo.
While it may seem like you have time to file a claim and while your immediate concern may be your family member’s health, it is important to consult with an experienced attorney quickly, as soon as you suspect something is wrong. Facilities may destroy evidence and take actions to try to reduce their liability. Your lawyer can step in early to secure evidence and to make sure you have the best chance possible of filing a successful claim.
It is also important to act quickly because cases of abuse often escalate. It is not uncommon for abusive staff or residents to escalate from verbal abuse to physical abuse, for example. The longer the abuse goes on, the more serious harm residents can suffer. Here are just a few of the serious harms that residents can endure:
- Loss of assets and cash in cases of theft.
- STIs and physical trauma from sexual assault.
- Broken bones, head trauma, broken hips, and other potentially life-threatening injuries.
- Complications from incorrect medication.
- Worsening mental health and cognitive decline due to neglect or isolation.
Residents of nursing homes are often vulnerable, and injuries that a healthy adult can recover from can be very serious. For example, a senior with osteoporosis who suffers a fracture may experience a lot of pain and take a lot of time to heal. A simple bedsore can become catastrophic for a senior who is bedridden. In some cases, unattended bedsores in these situations can lead to sepsis, infection, or so much tissue damage that the bone is exposed. Acting fast can help prevent complications and can stop abuse in its tracks.
Holding Facilities Accountable for Systemic Negligence
Unfortunately, many facilities across Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and beyond face chronic staffing shortages, undertraining, and poor oversight. These systemic issues lead to widespread patterns of harm.
Systemic negligence often shows up as:
- Chronic understaffing. Many South Florida facilities, especially in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, fail to meet recommended staff-to-patient ratios. This can mean long waits for help, missed medications, and preventable injuries like falls.
- Poor infection control. In coastal regions such as Hollywood and West Palm Beach, facilities have faced citations for failing to isolate residents with contagious illnesses, leading to avoidable outbreaks.
- Lack of supervision. Residents may wander into unsafe areas, fall in hallways, or suffer dehydration simply because staff are stretched too thin.
- Corporate cost-cutting. Some nursing home chains operating in Florida prioritize profits over patient care, resulting in budget cuts that directly harm residents.
What makes systemic negligence so dangerous is that it isn’t just “one bad aide” or “one careless nurse.” It is a breakdown in the entire system of care. Families often notice red flags but may not realize these are signs of a larger pattern.
At Flaxman Law Group, we take a broad view of these cases. We investigate whether the facility as a whole was unsafe, undertrained, or deliberately cutting corners. By holding corporations accountable, we push for real change that protects not only your family but also countless other vulnerable residents in Florida.
And because our team is based right here in South Florida, we know the history of many facilities in our area. We’ve seen repeated citations from certain nursing homes in Miami Gardens, Hialeah, and Plantation. We know which corporate operators have a track record of lawsuits. This local knowledge gives our clients an edge in building a strong case.
Legal Options After a Loved One’s Wrongful Death
The most devastating outcome of nursing home negligence is when it costs someone their life. Under Florida’s Wrongful Death Act, surviving family members may pursue justice when negligence leads to a resident’s death. In these cases, a lawsuit can shine a light on unsafe practices and pressure owners to make changes.
Wrongful death cases in Florida are subject to strict deadlines, often just two years from the date of death. That’s why it’s so important to contact an attorney as soon as possible. At Flaxman Law Group, we handle the legal process so families can focus on mourning and healing. We work with medical experts, review facility records, and uncover the paper trail that often reveals a pattern of negligence.
We approach every wrongful death case with compassion for the family and determination to push for justice.
Contact Us Today
We want you to know that you don’t have to go through this alone. At Flaxman Law Group, we are a family-run firm, led by father-and-son team Charles and Steven Flaxman. When you call us, you speak directly with a Flaxman—an attorney who will guide you from your very first call through the resolution of your case.
Our approach is different because we’ve walked in your shoes. With more than 60 years of combined experience, including time spent working inside the insurance industry, we know exactly how nursing home corporations and their insurers try to minimize claims.
Here are just some reasons families across Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Palm Beach trust us:
- Proven results. Nearly $1 billion recovered for clients, including multiple seven-figure outcomes.
- Personal attention. Big-firm results with small-firm care.
- Full-service support. We help with the practical burdens—arranging medical care, handling insurance questions, even helping with paperwork—so you can focus on your family.
- Community trust. Hundreds of five-star reviews and a reputation built over decades in South Florida.
- Multilingual support. Our team speaks English, Spanish, and Creole, reflecting the communities we serve.
And perhaps most importantly: no upfront costs. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay us unless we win compensation for you.
What we are most proud of, however, is the difference we make to families. Clients often stay in touch after the resolution of their case and tell us how much they appreciate our sensitivity and compassion. These interactions mean the world to us because they show us that we are able to be there for families and make a difference during the most challenging times. We never take that for granted and we never forget that.
If you’re ready to explore your legal options, we invite you to take the first step today. Contact us for a free, confidential consultation. Your constellation comes with no cost and no obligation. It’s a chance to find out whether you have a legal oath forward and it’s a chance to ask questions and to find out how our law firm may be able to help.
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