Amputations in Florida Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, and Group Homes
What Causes Amputations in Florida Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, and Group Homes
Amputations in Florida nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and group homes are more common than many families realize, and many are preventable. These injuries often result from untreated infections, unmanaged chronic illnesses, delayed wound care, and avoidable accidents. When staff fail to properly monitor residents, follow physician orders, or respond to known risks, the consequences can be life-altering.
Bedsores Can Lead to Amputation
Severe, infected bedsores (also called pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers) can lead to amputations when left untreated. These wounds develop when residents in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or group homes are left in the same position for too long, causing reduced blood flow and skin breakdown. Without consistent repositioning, monitoring, and wound care, infection can spread, and limb amputation may become necessary.
Poorly Managed Diabetes Can Lead to Amputation
In Florida nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and group homes, residents with diabetes require close monitoring and daily care. Failure to manage diabetes effectively can result in nerve damage, poor circulation, undetected injuries, and serious infections. Without timely intervention, amputation may be required to prevent further complications.
Peripheral Vascular Disease Can Lead to Amputation
Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) restricts blood flow to the limbs, increasing the risk of tissue death. In nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and group homes, residents with PVD must be closely assessed for circulatory problems, skin changes, and wound progression. Delays in care or missed signs can lead to irreversible damage requiring amputation.
Gangrene Can Lead to Amputation
Gangrene occurs when blood flow is cut off from an area of tissue, causing that tissue to die. In long-term care facilities such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and group homes, gangrene may arise from untreated wounds, poor hygiene, or unmanaged circulatory conditions. When staff fail to act quickly, amputation may be the only life-saving option.
Falls and Fractures Can Lead to Amputation
Falls are one of the most preventable emergencies in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and group homes. Serious fractures or crush injuries can result in infections or swelling that compromise blood flow. In some cases, the damage is so severe that amputation becomes the only viable treatment. Many of these injuries could have been avoided with proper fall-prevention protocols and supervision.
Contact FIDJ for a Free Case Review
If your loved one underwent an amputation as a result of care failure at a Florida nursing home, assisted living facility, group home, or adult day care center, don't delay, contact the experienced attorneys at FIDJ for a FREE case review.
*The information contained herein is not medical advice.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Amputations
Are amputations in Florida nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and group homes preventable?
Yes. Most amputations in long-term care settings are preventable with proper monitoring, wound care, and chronic illness management. When staff ignore warning signs like infections, poor circulation, or untreated bedsores, the risk of amputation rises dramatically.
What are the most common causes of amputations in nursing homes and group homes?
Amputations often result from untreated bedsores, poorly managed diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, gangrene, or severe injuries from falls. In many cases, these conditions worsen because the facility failed to provide timely and appropriate care.
Can a Florida nursing home, assisted living facility, or group home be held legally responsible for an amputation?
Yes. If a resident loses a limb because staff neglected wound care, ignored physician orders, failed to prevent falls, or did not manage chronic conditions, the nursing home, assisted living facility, or group home may be held liable for negligence and/or a violation of resident rights/disabled individual rights under Florida law.
How do I know if my loved one’s amputation was caused by nursing home, assisted living facility, or group home neglect?
Warning signs include untreated wounds, repeated infections, lack of wound documentation, failure to consult doctors, or delays in sending the resident to the hospital. If you notice these issues, it may indicate neglect.
What rights do Florida nursing home, assisted living facility, or group home residents have if an amputation occurs due to neglect?
Residents in long-term care facilities, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and group homes, are afforded legal rights. For nursing home residents, these rights can be found at Fla. Stat. § 400.022. For assisted living facility residents, these rights can be found at Fla. Stat. § 429.28. For group home residents, these rights can be found at Fla. Stat. § 393.13. Among others, these laws serve as the foundation to pursue claims against nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and group homes when these facilities cause preventable harm, including amputations.
What compensation can a resident recover in a Florida amputation neglect case?
If we are talking about a pure amputation case that does not involve wrongful death, the damages include economic damages (e.g., medical expenses, including those covered by third party payor sources like Medicare or Medicaid), along with non-economic damages (e.g., pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, loss of dignity, loss of independence, loss of the enjoyment of life, disfigurement, and disability). In cases of reckless conduct by the nursing home, assisted living facility, or group home, punitive damages may also be available. These types of damages are designed to punish the facility, on top of the economic and non-economic damages.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit for an amputation caused by nursing home, assisted living facility, or group home neglect in Florida?
Florida’s statute of limitations for nursing home, assisted living facility, and group home abuse and neglect cases is generally two years from when the injury is discovered, but specific circumstances may extend this period. It’s important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. For more information about statutes of limitation, check out our blog titled, "The Deadline to File a Florida Nursing Home, Assisted Living Facility, Group Home, or Adult Day Care Center Abuse or Neglect Case".
Why should I hire a Florida lawyer experienced in amputation neglect cases?
Amputation neglect cases require attorneys who understand both the medical complexities and the unique Florida laws that protect residents of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and group homes. A skilled lawyer can obtain medical records, work with wound care and related medical and nursing experts, and trace how the facility’s failures led to amputation. This experience is critical to proving liability, building a strong case, and securing full compensation for the injured resident.
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