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Fort Lauderdale Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
Bedsores that were never treated. A fall no one reported. Sudden weight loss, bruises, or a parent who is suddenly afraid to talk. Broward County has 32 nursing homes and 247 assisted living facilities, and Florida law gives their residents enforceable rights. Shiner Law Group helps families hold facilities accountable, with no fee unless we win.
On This Page — Fort Lauderdale Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Guide
Fort Lauderdale Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyers
- If you suspect abuse, call 911 in an emergency and report it to the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873.
- Florida’s nursing home law (Chapter 400) and assisted living law (Chapter 429) give residents enforceable rights and a path to sue.
- Claims require a 75-day presuit notice and generally must be brought within 2 years of the incident or its discovery.
- You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for your family.
Families choose a nursing home or assisted living facility trusting that their loved one will be safe, fed, clean, and treated with dignity. Broward County is home to roughly 375,000 residents aged 65 and older, and many depend on facility care every day. When a facility is understaffed, poorly supervised, or simply careless, residents can suffer bedsores, dehydration, dangerous falls, medication errors, and outright abuse.
Abuse in long-term care is often hidden. Residents with dementia may not be able to describe what happened, and some are afraid of retaliation. Facilities control the records and the staff who witnessed the harm. That is why it matters to act quickly and to work with a firm that knows Florida’s nursing home statutes.
Shiner Law Group has represented injured Floridians since 2002 and has recovered more than $500 million for our clients. We investigate staffing, care plans, incident reports, and state inspection records, and we pursue the facility, its management company, and responsible caregivers. If a loved one died, our Fort Lauderdale wrongful death lawyers can help your family understand its options.
Elder Care by the Numbers
Figures from Florida agencies, the U.S. Census, the World Health Organization, and the CDC.
Licensed nursing homes in Broward County with 4,382 beds, plus 247 assisted living facilities with 9,829 beds.
Of Broward County’s roughly 2 million residents are 65 or older.
Staff in institutional settings such as nursing homes reported committing some form of abuse in the past year.
People 60 and older experienced some form of abuse in community settings during the past year.
Minimum weekly average of direct care per resident per day in Florida nursing homes, including at least 2.0 hours from certified nursing assistants.
General deadline to bring a nursing home claim, measured from the incident or its discovery, with a 4-year outer limit.
Types of Abuse and Warning Signs
Definitions follow the CDC and the National Institute on Aging.
Neglect
Failure to meet basic needs such as food, water, hygiene, and medical care. Watch for bedsores, dehydration, weight loss, soiled clothing, and unclean rooms.
Physical abuse
Intentional force that causes injury, including improper restraint. Watch for unexplained bruises, fractures, burns, or marks on the wrists.
Emotional abuse
Words or actions that cause fear, anguish, or distress, including isolation. Watch for withdrawal, agitation, or fear of certain staff.
Sexual abuse
Any forced or unwanted sexual contact. Watch for bruising, infections, torn or stained clothing, or sudden changes in behavior.
Financial exploitation
Improper use of a resident’s money, property, or benefits. Watch for missing belongings, unusual withdrawals, or new documents the resident did not understand.
Falls, elopement & medication errors
Repeated falls, residents wandering out of secure units, and wrong or missed medications often point to understaffing and poor supervision.
Florida Residents’ Rights and the Law
Florida gives nursing home and assisted living residents specific, enforceable rights.
Nursing home residents’ rights
Residents have the right to be free from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and unauthorized restraints, and to receive adequate and appropriate health care, privacy, and dignity.
Who can sue and who is liable
The resident, a guardian, or the personal representative of the estate may sue the licensee, its management company, and direct caregivers for actual and, in some cases, punitive damages.
75-day presuit notice
Before filing, the claimant must send notice by certified mail. No suit may be filed for 75 days, and the statute of limitations is paused during that period.
Deadline to file
Two years from the incident or its discovery, and no later than 4 years after the incident. Fraudulent concealment can extend the limit to 6 years.
Minimum staffing
Nursing homes must provide at least 3.6 hours of direct care per resident per day on a weekly average, and never fewer than 1 CNA per 20 residents or 1 licensed nurse per 40.
Assisted living facilities
ALF residents have their own bill of rights, including a safe environment free from abuse and neglect, and similar civil remedies, presuit rules, and deadlines.
What Families Should Do if They Suspect Abuse
Make sure your loved one is safe
Call 911 in an emergency. Ask for a medical evaluation, and consider moving your loved one if they are in danger.
Report it
Call the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873, available 24/7, or report online. Nursing home staff and health care workers are mandatory reporters.
Document what you see
Photograph injuries, bedsores, and room conditions. Keep a dated log of conversations, staff names, and changes in your loved one’s condition.
Request records
Ask for care plans, incident reports, medication records, and the resident’s chart. Ask whether video exists and request that it be preserved.
Contact the ombudsman
The Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, Broward district, (954) 597-2266, advocates for residents and investigates complaints.
Talk to a lawyer before signing
Do not sign releases or arbitration documents without legal advice. Presuit notice and filing deadlines apply, so early action matters.
How to Check a Broward Nursing Home
These free government tools show inspections, staffing, and penalties.
Medicare Care Compare
Star ratings for inspections, staffing, and quality, plus an abuse icon for facilities cited for abuse that harmed a resident. medicare.gov/care-compare
Florida Nursing Home Guide
AHCA ratings for quality of care, nutrition and hydration, restraints and abuse, and pressure ulcers, plus the state Watch List. FloridaHealthFinder
Inspection reports
AHCA inspection reports and final orders for Florida facilities. AHCA document search
Visit or Call Shiner Law Group
Serving families of nursing home and assisted living residents throughout Fort Lauderdale and Broward County.
Shiner Law Group — Fort Lauderdale
6750 N Andrews Ave Suite 200 #2062
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
(954) 999-9900 · Available 24/7
Can’t come to us? We offer home, hospital, and video consultations anywhere in Broward County.
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Fort Lauderdale Nursing Home Abuse FAQ
How much does a Fort Lauderdale nursing home abuse lawyer cost?
Nothing upfront. Shiner Law Group handles nursing home abuse and neglect cases on a contingency fee basis, so your family pays no attorney fee unless we recover compensation. Call (954) 999-9900 for a free, confidential case review, available 24/7.
How do I report nursing home abuse in Florida?
Call 911 if your loved one is in immediate danger. Report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation to the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873 (available 24/7) or online through the Department of Children and Families. You can also contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program in Broward at (954) 597-2266.
How long do I have to file a nursing home abuse claim in Florida?
Generally two years from the incident or from when it was discovered, and no later than four years after the incident (Fla. Stat. § 400.0236). Fraudulent concealment can extend the outer limit to six years. Florida also requires a 75-day presuit notice before suit can be filed, so it is important to act quickly.
How many nursing homes are in Broward County?
According to the Florida Department of Elder Affairs 2025 Profile of Older Floridians, Broward County has 32 licensed nursing homes with 4,382 beds and 247 assisted living facilities with 9,829 beds.
What are the warning signs of nursing home neglect?
Common signs include bedsores, unexplained weight loss, dehydration, poor hygiene, soiled bedding, repeated falls, missing glasses or hearing aids, and sudden changes in mood or behavior. Any unexplained injury should be reported and documented.
Who can be held responsible for nursing home abuse?
Under Fla. Stat. § 400.023, a claim may be brought against the facility licensee, its management company, managing employees, and direct caregivers whose conduct harmed the resident. Passive investors generally cannot be sued.
Can we still sue if a loved one has dementia?
Yes. A guardian, a person acting with the resident’s consent, or the personal representative of the estate may bring the claim. Medical records, staffing records, inspection reports, and witness accounts often prove what the resident cannot describe.
Where is Shiner Law Group’s Fort Lauderdale office?
Our Fort Lauderdale office is at 6750 N Andrews Ave Suite 200 #2062, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309. Call (954) 999-9900 any time, day or night.
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This page is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship. Statistics are cited to the public sources noted and may be preliminary or revised. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes; each case is unique and must be evaluated on its own merits. Attorneys at Shiner Law Group are Members of The Florida Bar. Shiner Law Group — Accident & Injury Lawyers. Attorney Advertising.