The Law Office of Michael C. George, P.A. knows that those who work at assisted living facilities can unintentionally make mistakes when caring for a loved one; unfortunately, they may also willfully neglect the person placed under their care. The pain and anxiety that results from a lack of care and attention can be traumatic for the elderly individual and the entire family suffers when they see their family member receiving improper care.
Assisted Living Injuries
Our Legal Team Gets Results
Attorney Michael C. George has years of experience along with an outstanding success rate in handling assisted living injuries throughout Florida. He has fought for and won, millions in settlements for families and seniors because of harms to clients based on carelessness or outright neglect in an assisted living community. Attorney George holds the honor of being recognized by his fellow trial lawyers as a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum made up of those trial attorneys who have won settlements of millions of dollars. Less than one percent of US lawyers have attained this prestigious membership.
Attorney George has handled thousands of negligent cases, during which he was available to his clients 24 hours a day and seven days a week. His experience makes him highly qualified to take on even the most complex personal injury cases. Attorney George has battled against many of the nation's largest insurance companies to ensure that his clients get everything they deserve for their injuries and losses.
Possible Injuries Sustained in Assisted Living Locations
The fact that the elderly can often experience accidents because of tripping; taking medicine improperly; lack of focus; memory loss, and other functions that occur when aging, they need additional care and assistance. Many families and their elderly family members choose to move into an assisted living development. This decision can be a difficult one for all involved but is sometimes the only choice they have.
Unfortunately, it is these types of injuries that most often occur to elderly residents who have been neglected or abused:
- Untreated bed sores
- Weight loss that is excessive or sudden
- Unexplained bruises
- Paleness
- Poor hygiene
- Cuts or wounds
- Malnutrition
- Erratic medication dosing
- Unchanged dressings
- Infections
- Financial abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Elder self-abuse
- Sexual harassment, and more
Discovering Who is Responsible for Injuries
Because family members and friends cannot be with their loved ones 24 hours a day, residents are open to harm when they are alone. Even when those who are responsible for a senior's care visit often, there are times when an unscrupulous or careless individual can neglect or harm the elderly resident.
Potentially liable parties can include:
- Nurses (The Medicare program requires that nursing facilities screen and monitor elders for signs and symptoms associated with mistreatment.)
- Professional at-home caregivers
- Medical professionals
- Orderlies
- Any person involved in the care of an elderly person
Anyone who suspects elder abuse is occurring and does not report it can be held liable by both civil and criminal legal systems if they know of the alleged violation and intentionally do not verbalize it.
Abuse can continue and escalate if not reported. Get advice and understanding from the Law Office of Michael C. George; Florida assisted living injury lawyer.
Damages Resulting from an Injury
When an individual has suffered injury due to the negligence or willful neglect of another person in an assisted living facility in Florida, it is considered a felony. If there has been no bodily harm, the abuse is considered a third-degree felony. If there is severe bodily harm, the case is a first-degree felony.
Punishment for assisted living injuries due to neglect or abuse can take the form of as much as five years in prison for a third-degree felony and up to thirty years for a first-degree felony. Other penalties include:
- A charge of aggravated neglect (a second-degree felony) which is punishable by as much as 15 years in prison
- Financial abuse punishment related to the amount of money taken: over $100,000 is a first-degree felony, from $20,000 to $100,000 is a second-degree felony
In some cases, an individual faces suit in civil court for the exploitation of an aging individual. A suit like this is known as a non-criminal abuse of an elder. The plaintiff may receive punitive or actual damages for the abuse, neglect, or exploitation caused by the person.
The Law Office of Michael C. George, P.A.
What sets Attorney George apart is the sincere and authentic care he feels toward his clients. He and his team have enormous compassion for the individuals they represent and are disturbed by the willful and careless conduct of some people. His sole focus is getting the results that his clients deserve. His primary goal is to ensure that his clients receive the respect and courtesy they deserve.
When you need us, contact us, and we will respond as quickly as we can. Your rights and your well-being are what we fight for now and will continue to fight for in years to come.