Earlier this month, Hurricane Irma ripped through South Florida, leaving behind a disaster area in some locations. Hurricane Irma may not have been as bad as some had forecasted, but hundreds of thousands of Floridians were left without power in the wake of the storm. While a power outage may be a minor annoyance to most, outages can be deadly to a nursing home resident who relies on medical equipment.According to a recent news report, one South Florida nursing home is facing at least one lawsuit stemming from the deaths of eight residents following Hurricane Irma. The report details the allegations in the plaintiff’s complaint, which claim that the nursing home’s failure to take adequate precautions to protect residents leading up to the storm showed “negligence and reckless indifference.”
The plaintiff points to several alleged failures on the part of the nursing home, including the home’s failure to secure a generator in the event of a power outage despite ample warning that the facility was likely going to lose power. Indeed, there were reports that the temperature inside the nursing home reached as high as 106 Fahrenheit at times due to the lack of air conditioning.
According to the news report, most of those who were seriously injured or died as a result of the power outage were being treated for respiratory distress, dehydration, and heat-related issues. The nursing home has defended itself against the accusation by stating that employees reached out immediately to the power company after the air conditioning system failed. However, that does not address the home’s failure to take action leading up to the storm.
The Florida Department of Health released a strong statement condemning the nursing home, stating that “it is 100 percent the responsibility of health care professionals to preserve life by acting in the best interest of the health and well-being of their patients.” The statement also noted that deaths are subject to a criminal homicide investigation by law enforcement.
Florida Nursing Home Lawsuits
As the above discussion makes clear, Florida nursing homes have a duty to protect their residents. Under normal circumstances, this includes providing residents with necessary medical treatment and keeping residents safe and free from abuse. However, in extenuating circumstances, the duty owed to nursing home residents can change, requiring proactive action.
Have You Been Injured in a South Florida Nursing Home?
If you or a loved one has recently been injured while staying at a South Florida nursing home, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. The skilled South Florida personal injury attorneys at the law firm of Friedman, Rodman & Frank have extensive experience holding negligent nursing homes responsible for the injuries they have caused. We handle nursing home neglect and abuse cases on a routine basis, and we know what it takes to succeed on our clients’ behalf. Call 877-448-8585 to schedule a free consultation with a dedicated South Florida nursing home attorney today.
More Blog Posts:
Determining Damages in South Florida Car Accidents, South Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Blog, published September 21, 2017.
Pre-Suit Requirements in Florida Personal Injury Cases Naming Government Defendants, South Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Blog, published September 7, 2017.