A body was found in a closet at the same Miami nursing home from where a 71-year-old man was reported missing, according to reporting from The Miami Herald.
Police were called out to the North Dade Nursing and Rehabilitation Center around 10:30 a.m. Monday morning. The man who had been staying at the nursing home following a brain aneurysm was reported missing on Aug. 22.
Family members of the missing man told reporters with NBC South Florida that they believe the body found in the closet is that of their grandfather. The family claims they were told he signed a document refusing medical help. When they asked to see it, the family said the facility refused.
Authorities have yet to confirm the identity of the body found and additional information including whether there were other patients and or staff members who were unaccounted for or whether any foul play is suspected was not immediately available Tuesday.
Florida Nursing Homes
In numbers from the Florida Healthcare Association, it is estimated that there are nearly 700 nursing homes located in South Florida. This number is projected to be larger than in other parts of the state due to the area’s reputation as a retirement destination. This reputation began in the 50s flouting certain benefits in Florida including year-round warm weather and the establishment of retirement communities with various amenities.
Any nursing home in Florida must comply with state and federal regulations concerning standards of care for patients. These facilities are inspected every six to 15 months by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). Licenses for these facilities are renewed every two years by the AHCA. When the organization receives a complaint about a particular facility,
Leesfield & Partners
From medical malpractice aboard cruise ships to faulty respirators and negligent supervision, Leesfield & partners attorneys know just how often the officials instructed to care for injured or sick patients can fail them. With over four decades of experience, attorneys at the firm have handled thousands of claims of medical malpractice and negligent supervision that have had lasting consequences for families and loved ones.
Cases of elder neglect and mistreatment of patients often arise due to staff burnout, a lack of staff training and stressful working conditions, according to the National Academy of Sciences. These underlying issues have attributed to the abuse, neglect and mistreatment of patients in numerous cases handled by Leesfield & Partners over the years.
Leesfield & Partners attorneys represented a family whose newborn was born with cerebral palsy after a doctor’s actions during her birth deprived her of oxygen. The birth lasted days and Pitocin given to the mother to induce labor was unsuccessful.
The doctor in this case chose to use a vacuum for over 45 minutes before resorting to applying fundal pressure. This technique refers to a doctor applying pressure to a mother’s abdomen to push a baby down the birthing canal. Uterine rupture is a side-effect of this technique and occurred in this case, cutting off oxygen flow to the baby.
Attorneys with the firm were able to secure a $24.1 million award for the family.
The family of a Broward County retiree represented by Leesfield & partners attorneys was awarded $1 million for their loved one’s wrongful death.
The firm also represented the grieving family of a teenager who was neglected while on suicide watch. The teen later died by suicide after having only been at the center for one day. A $1 million award was secured by Founder and Managing Partner, Ira Leesfield, for the boy’s family.
A $2 million verdict was secured by Leesfield & Partners in a medical negligence case involving neurological injuries to a newborn.
A patient receiving medical treatment in Broward County was severely burned while on the operating table for a surgical procedure. Leesfield & Partners attorneys secured a $600,000 award for the injured patient in that case.
The firm also secured a $500,000 award for the family of a special needs child who was not being supervised.
If you think you may have a claim for an injury or neglect at a Florida nursing home, call a Leesfield & Partners attorney today for a free consultation at 800-836-6400.