Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers | June 5, 2025 | Nursing Home Abuse
The decision to place your loved one in a nursing home can be a tough one to make. After all, cases of nursing home abuse are on the rise. In fact, some studies have shown that as many as two out of every three staff workers in nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities have admitted to committing abuse.
No one wants to see their loved one abused in a nursing home. So, how do you report suspected or known cases of abuse in nursing homes in Florida? There are several ways to report this type of abuse, and the one you select may depend on the specific situation.
Nursing Home Abuse Reporting Requirement
In Florida, everyone is considered a mandatory reporter when it comes to the abuse of a vulnerable adult. This means that if you suspect abuse is taking place, you are required to report it to the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) central abuse hotline. Bringing your concerns to the staff or management of the nursing home facility is not enough to meet this requirement.
When reporting nursing home abuse, there are a few ways the state allows you to do that. You can:
- Call the DCF central abuse hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE
- Report it to the DCF through their website
- Send a fax to the hotline at 1-800-914-0004
In emergency situations, you may need to call the local police as well.
Remember to talk to your family member and others in the nursing home facility to ensure you are as informed as possible about what is happening there. Staying informed and present in the facility can help reduce the chances that your loved one will be abused.
Common Signs that Abuse May Be Taking Place
There are some signs you can watch for that may indicate that nursing home abuse is taking place.
If you notice any of these signs or symptoms, you should investigate further to learn what is happening:
- Unexplained bruises
- Cuts or lacerations
- Broken bones
- Fear
- Social withdrawal
- Missing teeth
- Rope or ligature marks
It is crucial that you take action immediately if you notice any of these signs. Even if the person that you suspect is being abused is not your family member, you still have a duty to report it.
Potential Damages for Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing homes and their employees may be held criminally liable for any confirmed abuse. In addition, they might also face civil penalties for injuries and damages they cause. In a civil case, an abuse victim may be able to recover both economic damages and non-economic damages.
Together, these damages can compensate a victim for both their monetary losses and their physical and emotional pain.
Some common damages that may be present in a nursing home abuse case are:
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Diminished quality of life
- Cost to relocate to another facility
Remember that nursing home abuse could come in the form of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. Victims of any type of abuse deserve to be compensated fairly for their damages, and all suspected abuse cases should be reported to the proper authorities.
Penalties Related to Nursing Home Abuse Reports
In Florida, you can be found guilty of a second-degree misdemeanor for failing to report suspected abuse. Similarly, you could be found guilty of this offense for preventing someone else from reporting the abuse.
Convictions for this offense may carry fines and even jail time. Florida takes nursing home abuse very seriously, and all suspected instances of abuse should be immediately reported.
It is also important to note that anyone who makes a good-faith claim of abuse is immune from liability. Therefore, as long as you reasonably believe that abuse is taking place, you cannot be held liable for making the report, even if it turns out that no abuse was happening.
Contact the Safety Harbor Nursing Home Abuse Law Firm of Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
If you suspect a loved one may be experiencing nursing home abuse or neglect, you should act quickly to hold the responsible parties accountable. Ensure your loved one is safe, report the abuse or neglect to the proper authorities, and consult with a Safe Harbor nursing home abuse lawyer at Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers about pursuing compensation.
For more information, please contact the legal team of Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers for a free initial consultation with a nursing home abuse lawyer in Safety Harbor. We have convenient locations in Florida: St. Petersburg, Safety Harbor, Clearwater, New Port Richey, and Tampa.
We serve throughout Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, Pasco County, and its surrounding areas:
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater Office
1811 N. Belcher Road, Suite I-1
Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 787-2500
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – Congress Ave Office
2360 Congress Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33763
(727) 591-5610
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – Tampa Office
6601 Memorial Hwy Suite 202
Tampa, FL 33615
(813) 686-7588
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – New Port Richey Office
2515 Seven Springs Blvd.
New Port Richey, FL, 34655
(727) 815-8442
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Petersburg Law Office
840 Beach Dr NE Suite 202
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 787-2500
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – Safety Harbor Law Office
202 9th Ave S Suite A-2
Safety Harbor, FL 34695
(727) 787-2500