Success Stories

Substantial recovery for elderly nursing home patient, Orange County, Florida

Mr. Green (not his real name), age 85, lived in a nursing home. His wife, Mrs. Green, age 84, visited her husband daily and they enjoyed their life together. Mr. Green was still mentally alert and vibrant, but had physical problems and suffered numerous falls at the nursing home. Mr. Green suffered these falls despite an order by his physician to use restraints on Mr. Green when he was in bed or in a wheelchair. In one of the falls, Mr. Green suffered a broken hip. The nursing home neglected to treat the fractured hip for over a week. When finally discovered, Mr. Green received treatment but experienced a slow and poor recovery and died eighteen months after the fall. The nursing home claimed he died of medical problems unrelated to his fall.

Florida's laws include a Bill of Rights for nursing home residents as well as enforcement provisions. These laws are intended to protect senior citizens and provide dignity and a quality of life. Jim Cunningham was able to achieve a confidential settlement of this case on behalf of Mr. Green's estate for $300,000. Cases such as this send a clear message to the nursing home industry to act responsibly and professionally toward its residents.