When a loved one enters a nursing home, families trust that facility staff will provide compassionate, attentive care. Unfortunately, nursing home neglect happens far too often in Florida. If you suspect your family member is experiencing neglect at a Niceville nursing facility, The Bruner Law Firm stands ready to investigate and fight for the justice your loved one deserves.
Our Niceville personal injury lawyers have represented families across Okaloosa County for over 30 years. We handle nursing home neglect cases exclusively on behalf of injured victims and their families, never for nursing homes or insurance companies. This exclusive focus means we bring our full resources and expertise to your case without any conflicts of interest.
Why Families in Niceville Turn to The Bruner Law Firm for Nursing Home Neglect Cases
The Bruner Law Firm has built its reputation on one principle: we represent only injured people and their families. Since 1992, we have maintained exclusive plaintiff representation in personal injury cases, including nursing home abuse and neglect claims. This commitment means every attorney in our office works solely to advance your interests.
Our Niceville office serves families throughout Okaloosa County and the surrounding Florida Panhandle region. Located at 701 East John Sims Parkway, Unit 305, our local team understands the community and the nursing facilities in the area. When you work with us, you work with attorneys who know Niceville and are invested in holding local facilities accountable.
Our team includes five experienced attorneys with combined decades of personal injury law experience. Drew Gordy Bruner carries the distinction of Super Lawyer recognition from Thomson Reuters and holds an AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards. He is also a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, an honor limited to the top 1% of lawyers in each jurisdiction. Our founding partner, Vincent Michael Bruner, brings 40 years of legal experience, including service as a Florida State Senator and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Corrections.
With a 5.0 Google rating based on many client reviews, families throughout the region trust The Bruner Law Firm to deliver results.
Understanding Nursing Home Neglect in Florida
Nursing home neglect occurs when facility staff fail to provide necessary care, supervision, or services that result in harm to a resident. Neglect differs from nursing home abuse in that it typically involves a failure to act rather than intentional harm, though the consequences can be equally devastating.
What constitutes neglect vs. abuse: Abuse involves intentional actions that cause harm, such as hitting, pushing, or verbal threats. Neglect, by contrast, involves the failure to provide basic care. A resident left in soiled bedding for extended periods experiences neglect. A resident struck by a staff member experiences abuse. Both are serious violations of a resident’s rights, and both can form the basis for legal claims.
Common signs of neglect that families should recognize: Families should watch for several warning signs that may indicate neglect. These include unexplained weight loss or dehydration, poor hygiene or unwashed clothing, bedsores or pressure ulcers, medication errors or missed doses, falls or injuries without adequate explanation, behavioral changes such as increased anxiety or depression, and lack of engagement in activities or social interaction. If your loved one cannot communicate clearly, pay special attention to physical signs. Bedsores, for example, develop when residents are not turned regularly, a clear sign of neglect. Unexplained weight loss suggests inadequate nutrition or hydration. Any combination of these signs warrants immediate investigation. Learn more about signs of nursing home abuse.
Types of Nursing Home Neglect We Handle
Nursing home neglect takes many forms. Our experience handling these cases spans the full range of neglectful conduct that harms residents.
Medication errors and improper care: Nursing homes must maintain accurate medication records and administer medications on schedule. When staff fail to give medications on time, give wrong medications, or fail to monitor for side effects, residents suffer serious consequences. A resident with diabetes who misses insulin doses faces dangerous blood sugar fluctuations. A resident on blood pressure medication who receives inconsistent doses risks stroke or heart attack. We investigate medication errors thoroughly, working with medical experts to establish how the error occurred and what harm resulted. Contact our Niceville office for a free consultation about medication errors.
Inadequate nutrition and hydration: Residents depend on facility staff to ensure they receive adequate food and water. Some residents require assistance eating due to swallowing difficulties or physical limitations. When staff fail to provide this assistance, residents become malnourished and dehydrated. We have handled cases involving residents who lost 20, 30, or more pounds during nursing home stays—clear evidence of neglect. Dehydration can cause confusion, falls, urinary tract infections, and kidney problems. Proper nutrition and hydration are fundamental rights that facilities must protect.
Lack of hygiene and bedsore prevention: Nursing homes must maintain residents’ hygiene and prevent bedsores through regular turning, repositioning, and skin care. Bedsores develop when residents remain in one position too long, cutting off blood flow to the skin. Stage 3 and 4 bedsores cause severe tissue damage and can lead to life-threatening infections. We have represented families whose loved ones developed extensive bedsores during nursing home stays. Bedsores that could have been prevented through basic care protocols. Poor hygiene contributes to infections and dignity violations that compound the physical harm. Our nursing home neglect lawyers in Niceville have extensive experience with bedsore cases.
Your Rights Under Florida Law
Florida law provides strong protections for nursing home residents. Understanding these protections helps families recognize when facilities have violated their loved one’s rights.
Florida Statute 415.102 and elder abuse protections: Florida Statute 415.102 defines abuse, neglect, exploitation, and abandonment of vulnerable adults. The statute requires nursing homes to report suspected abuse or neglect to the Department of Children and Families. Facilities that fail to report, or that retaliate against residents or staff members who report suspected abuse, face additional liability. The statute also establishes that residents have the right to be free from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and abandonment. When facilities violate these rights, residents and their families may pursue legal claims for damages.
Statute of limitations for filing claims: In Florida, families used to have four years from the date of injury to file a negligence claim against a nursing home. This changed in March of 2023. If the injury happened on or after March 24, 2023, you now have up to two years to file a claim. Any injuries or accidents that occurred before March 24, 2023, still fall under the previous rule of four years to file a claim. For wrongful death claims, the statute of limitations is typically two years from the date of death. These deadlines are strict, and missing them can bar your claim entirely. If you suspect nursing home neglect, contact an attorney promptly to ensure your claim is filed within the required timeframe.
How The Bruner Law Firm Investigates Neglect Cases
Proving nursing home neglect requires thorough investigation and expert analysis. Our process begins immediately after you contact us.
Gathering medical records and facility documentation: We obtain the resident’s complete medical records from the nursing home, including admission records, daily care notes, medication administration records, physician orders, and discharge summaries. We also request facility policies, staff schedules, and incident reports directly from the nursing home, and obtain inspection and survey records from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. These documents often reveal patterns of neglect, including missed medication doses, inadequate turning schedules, or staffing shortages that prevent proper care. We compare what the facility was supposed to do against what actually happened.
Expert witness coordination: Nursing home neglect cases often require expert testimony to establish the standard of care and demonstrate how the facility fell short of it. We work with nursing experts, physicians, and other specialists who review the medical records and testify about what proper care would have required. These experts explain to a jury or judge exactly how the facility’s actions or inactions caused harm. Their testimony transforms medical records into a compelling narrative about what went wrong and why the facility bears responsibility.
Building your case for maximum compensation: We develop a comprehensive case strategy designed to maximize compensation for your loved one’s suffering. This includes documenting all medical expenses, calculating lost wages if applicable, and quantifying pain and suffering. We prepare your case for settlement negotiations or trial, knowing that facilities and their insurance companies will vigorously defend against claims. Our experience with nursing home cases means we understand the tactics defendants use and how to counter them effectively.
Compensation Available in Nursing Home Neglect Cases
When a nursing home’s neglect harms a resident, Florida law allows families to recover damages for the harm caused. The types of compensation available include:
Medical expenses and ongoing care costs: Neglect often causes injuries requiring additional medical treatment. A resident who develops bedsores may need wound care, antibiotics, or even surgery. A resident who becomes malnourished may require nutritional support and treatment for related conditions. We recover all reasonable medical expenses caused by the neglect, including past medical bills and anticipated future care costs. If your loved one requires ongoing treatment or rehabilitation, we calculate those costs and include them in the claim.
Pain and suffering damages: Beyond medical expenses, residents who experience neglect suffer physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of dignity. Florida law recognizes that these non-economic harms deserve compensation. A resident who develops painful bedsores, experiences the trauma of neglect, or suffers emotional distress due to inadequate care deserves compensation for that suffering. We work with you to document your loved one’s experience and communicate the full extent of their suffering to decision-makers.
Wrongful death claims: When nursing home neglect results in a resident’s death, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim. These claims seek compensation for the loss of the deceased’s companionship, guidance, and support. Families may also recover funeral and burial expenses. Wrongful death cases hold facilities accountable for the most serious consequences of their neglect.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing Home Neglect in Niceville
What should I do if I suspect my loved one is being neglected?
First, document what you observe. Take photographs of any visible injuries, bedsores, or poor hygiene. Write down dates, times, and specific incidents. Request to see your loved one’s medical records and medication administration records. Ask facility staff directly about your concerns and request written responses. If you believe your loved one is in immediate danger, contact local law enforcement or Adult Protective Services. Then contact an attorney to discuss your legal options. Early action preserves evidence and protects your loved one’s rights.
How long do I have to file a nursing home neglect claim in Florida?
Generally, you have four years from the date of injury to file a negligence claim. For wrongful death claims, the deadline is typically two years from the date of death. However, these deadlines have important exceptions, and they are strictly enforced. Do not delay—contact an attorney as soon as you suspect neglect to ensure your claim is filed timely.
What evidence do I need to prove nursing home neglect?
You need evidence showing that the facility owed your loved one a duty of care, that the facility breached that duty through neglect, that the breach caused injury, and that damages resulted. This evidence typically includes medical records, facility policies and procedures, staff schedules, incident reports, expert testimony, and testimony from your loved one or family members about what occurred. We gather and organize this evidence to build a compelling case.
Will my case go to trial or settle?
Most nursing home cases settle before trial, but we prepare every case as if it will go to trial. Settlement negotiations often occur after we complete the investigation and discovery. If the facility and its insurance company offer fair compensation, settlement may be appropriate. If they refuse to acknowledge responsibility or offer inadequate compensation, we are prepared to take your case to trial and present it to a jury.
How much does it cost to hire The Bruner Law Firm?
We represent nursing home neglect clients on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront costs, and we recover our fees only if we obtain compensation for you through settlement or trial verdict. You never pay attorney fees out of pocket. We advance the costs of investigation, expert witnesses, and litigation, and we recover these costs from the settlement or verdict. This arrangement ensures that families with limited resources can access quality legal representation.
Can I file a claim if my loved one has already passed away?
Yes. If nursing home neglect contributed to your loved one’s death, you may pursue a wrongful death claim on behalf of the deceased’s estate. Surviving family members—spouses, children, and parents—may recover compensation for their loss. Wrongful death cases hold facilities accountable for the most serious consequences of their neglect and provide families with a measure of justice.
How long does a nursing home neglect case typically take?
The timeline varies depending on the complexity of the case and whether it settles or goes to trial. Simple cases may resolve within 6-12 months. Complex cases involving multiple injuries or disputed facts may take 1-2 years or longer. We keep you informed throughout the process and work efficiently to resolve your case while ensuring we obtain maximum compensation.
Contact The Bruner Law Firm in Niceville Today
If you suspect your loved one is experiencing neglect at a Niceville nursing home, contact The Bruner Law Firm immediately. We offer free consultations with no obligation. During your consultation, we listen to your concerns, review available information, and explain your legal options.
We represent nursing home neglect clients on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. We advance all investigation and litigation costs, which we recover from your settlement or verdict.
Our Niceville office is conveniently located to serve families throughout Okaloosa County. We understand the urgency of nursing home neglect cases and respond quickly to client inquiries. Call (850) 605-0672 today to schedule your free consultation, or contact us online to request a case review. Let us help you pursue justice for your loved one.
