In south Florida and across the country, nursing homes are among the most hard-hit areas for COVID-19 outbreaks, complications, and fatalities. As a result, many families are wondering whether they have a Florida or Hollywood nursing home negligence case against long-term homes.
These facilities often have high concentrations of elderly residents in an enclosed space, allowing the disease to spread. Since residents are in close contact with staff and caregivers, they are vulnerable if any staff contract the virus outside and bring it to the facility. Tragically, since many residents in long-term care facilities have underlying conditions and medical concerns, they are more likely than the general population to develop serious and life-threatening complications from the novel coronavirus.
Some additional issues can further complicate the coronavirus outbreak at care homes. Staff at these facilities may not have access to personal protective equipment (PPE) or tests or know how to use these tools to prevent the spread of the virus. Staff may also not be given the training they need to help prevent spread of the virus. Understaffing and other issues—which are a challenge even when there is no pandemic—can become deadly in a pandemic context. While many long-term care homes are trying to do their best to protect residents others have policies which allow the virus to spread among vulnerable seniors.
What Can I Do If I Think I May Have a COVID-Related Nursing Home Abuse and Negligence Claim in Hollywood or My Community?
If you have an elderly loved one in a nursing home or long-term care facility and are worried, there are a few things you can do:
- Keep communication open: Keep communicating with your loved one by phone or virtual calls, if you can, to check on them. Speak with the nursing home to find out about any outbreaks, COVID-19 cases, and any precautions they are taking. Visit your loved one, if you can, taking added precautions to keep them safe.
- Stay up-to-date about rules: Know what your nursing home is doing to combat outbreaks. Keep copies of any emails or notices sent to you.
- Document: Write down the times, dates, and details of any phone conversation you have with your loved one and with the nursing home. If you are having video conferences, take a photo of the screen to document the condition of your elderly family member on specific days.
- Raise concerns: If you have any concerns, report them to the nursing home and keep documentation of when you contacted the facility. Keep track of any replies.
- Contact a Hollywood nursing home abuse and negligence attorney: If you think your loved one is in danger or has contracted COVID-19, contact a personal injury attorney to find out whether you have a claim.
If you need to speak to an attorney about a possible nursing home negligence case, contact Flaxman Law Group at 1-866-352-9626 (1-866-FLAXMAN) for a free accident consultation with a Hollywood nursing home negligence and abuse attorney. Your initial consultation is free and comes with no obligation. We are even offering virtual consultations for your peace of mind.