Ocala Injury Lawyers Blog
Earlier this week in a Miami Shores nursing home, a fire broke out in one of the rooms, causing all of the home’s residents to be evacuated. According to a report by the local NBC affiliate, the fire started shortly after 5 a.m. and all 51 residents were evacuated. Some of the residents were seen laying in hospital beds across the street from the nursing home. Apparently, a mattress had somehow caught fire in one of the residents rooms. Luckily, fire personnel were able to quickly contain the fire; it never spread beyond that one room.
A nearby fire truck was on the way back from responding to a call and was able to show up in a matter of seconds. In all, just two residents were hospitalized for possible smoke inhalation. All residents were let back into the home later on in the day as investigators further investigated the cause of the fire.
Fires in Nursing Homes: A Frightening Thought
A fire can wreck havoc no matter where it starts. However, when nursing homes catch fire, the risks exponentially increase due to the fact that many nursing home residents are immobile and rely on the nursing home’s employees for mobility. In the case described above, the residents were very fortunate that the fire truck was nearby and was able to respond in a rapid manner.
However, this will not always be the case. With the poor reputation most nursing homes have for providing less than diligent care, one can only hope that they have adequate plans in place in case of a serious fire.
Florida Nursing Homes Fall on Both Ends of the Spectrum
As far as providing adequate care, Florida nursing homes are split. Many Florida nursing homes enjoy a good reputation for the level of care they provide to their residents. However, some other Florida nursing homes have too many instances of neglect and abuse.
Nursing home abuse is a serious issue that can be life threatening to your loved one. If you are told by a loved one that the nursing home staff is abusive, you should seriously consider looking into the claim.
What To Do if Your Loved One is Reporting Nursing Home Abuse
If you have a loved on in a Florida nursing home that has told you they are being abused, you should immediately speak to an experienced Florida nursing home attorney as soon as possible. Getting your loved one out of the situation is the most important short-term goal. However, once they have moved to a better facility, you should look into whether they may be eligible for monetary compensation for the abuse they suffered. To find out more, and to speak with an experienced Ocala personal injury attorney about the specific facts of your case, call the Dean Law Firm today. The experienced and dedicated lawyers at the Dean Law Firm know what it takes to effectively take your nursing home case to trial. Click here to contact the firm online, or call 352-387-8700 today.