Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Blog
There have been 1,502 deaths of residents at nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Florida, according to a new report. This is an increase of 145 deaths in just one week.
However, reports are showing that the weekly death rate is slowing down. Last week was a 10.7% increase, but still a decrease from 14.1% for the period of May 29 to June 5.
Records indicate that 10 employees at these facilities have died since March.
According to the Department of Health, 729 deaths at nursing homes and assisted living facilities in South Florida have been labeled COVID-19 fatalities. This number is 79 more than last week in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.
In total, Florida has reported 3,016 confirmed deaths from coronavirus, which means residents and employees at nursing homes and assisted living facilities make up 50.1% of these deaths. The state Health Department releases a weekly list that shows the facilities that have seen COVID-19 deaths.
A related report shows that at least 10,761 people at these facilities have tested positive for coronavirus so far. This accounts for about 14.6% of the state’s 73,552 cases as of Saturday.
Reports from the state Health Department show that 302 nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Florida have reported at least one COVID-19 death so far, and 23 more facilities have had deaths within the past week.
Health officials have reported transferring at least 2,500 infected residents to hospitals.
South Florida made up more than half of the new deaths reported this week, totalling 79. Miami-Dade County reported 42 new deaths, Palm Beach reported 24 and Broward reported 13.
According to reports, the numbers as of Friday show 406 deaths of residents in Miami-Dade County, 179 in Palm Beach County, and 144 in Broward County.
Fair Havens Center Nursing Home in Miami Springs, reported 42 deaths which is one more than the previous week. Signature Healthcare Center of Waterford in Hialeah Gardens, reported a total of 32 deaths, up from 25.
Manor Pines Convalescent Center of Wilton Manors in Broward County has reported 22 deaths and Nspire Healthcare Lauderhill, also in Broward County, has had 19 deaths, up one since last week.
According to records from the Kaiser Family Foundation, more than 43,000 residents and employees of nursing homes and assisted living facilities throughout the country have died from coronavirus. The elderly are among the most vulnerable for contracting coronavirus, which is why nursing homes and assisted living facilities must take every necessary precaution to prevent the spread of this virus. The CDC has implemented strict protocols for healthcare professionals to follow to stop coronavirus from spreading such as frequent hand washing, restricting visitors, wearing personal protective equipment, and preventing possibly infected staff from working.
Our Florida Nursing Home Negligence and Abuse Attorneys at Whittel & Melton can help you understand all of your legal options if your loved one contracted coronavirus while under the care of a Florida nursing home or assisted living facility. We can gather all pertinent evidence related to the spread of the virus at your loved one’s nursing home or assisted living facility and then start negotiations for a fair settlement or pursue litigation, when necessary.
We know that the coronavirus pandemic has shocked the masses, but nursing homes and assisted living facilities are required to have an emergency plan in place should an infection outbreak occur. Not surprisingly, many of these facilities failed to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Proper infection control on part of the facility is the only way to stop further spread of COVID-19. Facilities are legally required to keep records of their infection control reports. Our attorneys can request copies of these reports to review if appropriate measures were taken to limit the spread of the virus. If appropriate steps were not taken, then the facility could be found negligent and liable for any injuries or wrongful deaths that resulted due to their negligence.
Our Florida Nursing Home Negligence and Abuse Attorneys at Whittel & Melton can help you understand your rights and hold any negligent nursing homes or assisted living facilities accountable for their wrongful actions.