Abstract
In response to public concerns about neglect and abuse, the state of Florida has enacted Chapter 400, which includes statutes and regulations delineating the civil rights of nursing home residents. By authorizing attorneys' fees and punitive damage awards, this legislation greatly increases the legal exposure and potential liability of nursing homes in Florida by associating civil rights with biomedical outcomes and social concerns. Any adverse outcomes, such as pressure ulcers, falls, or malnutrition, even in the most rapidly and hopelessly deteriorating resident, may constitute a licensee's violation of the resident's rights under Chapter 400 and thus provide the pretext for claims of negligent care on the part of the nursing home. By equating the often inevitable development of these geriatric syndromes with negligent care, any "injury,", large or small, can translate into high returns for plaintiff attorneys. Here we describe the critical components of Chapter 400 and discuss the potential impact of this legislation on the delivery of chronic care of the frail elderly.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 245-256 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Journal of Mental Health and Aging |
| Volume | 7 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| State | Published - Aug 29 2001 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Geriatrics and Gerontology
- Psychiatry and Mental health
