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If poor nursing home care caused injury or death, Florida law lets families sue facilities to seek financial compensation. Some nursing home neglect cases are worth over $1 million. Suing also holds negligent facilities accountable and helps protect other residents. Strict legal deadlines apply, so see if your family qualifies right now with a free case review.

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Can You Sue for Nursing Home Neglect in Florida?

Yes, you can sue for nursing home neglect in Florida. Under Florida Statutes § 400.023, the state law that protects nursing home residents, you can file a nursing home lawsuit when a facility’s neglect or violation of a resident’s rights causes injury or death.

Suing a negligent facility may allow your family to recover money for medical bills, relocation costs, pain and suffering, and other losses. If a resident passed away, certain family members may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

“You do not need to have proof before speaking with a nursing home neglect lawyer. If you’re concerned that something is wrong, that’s enough to start the conversation.”

– Ricky LeBlanc, Nursing Home Lawyer at Sokolove Law

The Nursing Home Abuse Center partners with a national network of experienced nursing home lawyers, including firms that handle cases across Florida.

As of 2026, our legal partners have recovered over $332 million for families affected by harm in nursing facilities.

Get a free case review right now to see if we can help your family take legal action.

What Is the Average Nursing Home Neglect Settlement in Florida?

There’s no true average Florida nursing home settlement because every case is different. Settlement amounts depend on factors like the severity of harm and the strength of the evidence. That said, many Florida families have secured life-changing results.

Did you know

In one case, our legal partners secured $625,000 for a Florida woman whose mother fell multiple times in a nursing home and passed away after hitting her head.

Other reported Florida nursing home settlements and verdicts include:

  • $2.5 million to a stroke survivor sexually abused by a nursing assistant
  • $1.8 million for the family of a 61-year-old resident who died from sepsis
  • $1.2 million for a dementia patient who passed away after bedsores became infected
  • $900,000 to the widow of a resident who died from severe pressure ulcers
  • $350,000 for a resident who suffered preventable broken bones
  • $1.3 million for the family of a resident who wandered outside and died from exposure
  • $2.1 million to a 70-year-old with a stage 4 bedsore at an Auburndale facility

Every case is unique, and past results don’t guarantee a specific outcome. An experienced attorney can review what happened and estimate what your family’s case may be worth.

Call (855) 264-6310 or Click to Live Chat to see if we can connect you with one of our trusted Florida nursing home lawyers.

When Can You Sue for Neglect in a Florida Nursing Home?

You may be able to sue a nursing home for neglect if you or a loved one was harmed in a facility anywhere in the state.

Many nursing home injuries are caused by understaffing, which can leave residents waiting far too long for meals, medications, or medical attention.

Your family may be able to take legal action if a resident suffered:

  • Bedsores (pressure ulcers): These painful wounds often develop when staff fail to reposition residents, and severe bedsores can lead to deadly infections
  • Malnutrition or dehydration: Residents depend on caregivers for food and water, and going without either can be life-threatening
  • Medication errors: The wrong drug, the wrong dose, or a missed dose can cause serious harm to a vulnerable resident
  • Falls and broken bones: When staff ignore known fall risks, residents can suffer fractures, head injuries, and worse
  • Unexplained injuries: Bruises or broken bones with no clear cause may be a warning sign that something is wrong

Nursing home residents have the right to live free from physical, emotional, financial, and sexual abuse. When a facility violates these protections, families can fight back.

Remember: you don’t need proof of neglect to take the first step. If something feels wrong, that’s enough to look into it.

Not sure if what you’re seeing is neglect? Use our free screening tool now to find out.

Who Can Sue for Nursing Home Neglect in Florida?

Nursing home residents and their legal representatives can sue for neglect in Florida. If your loved one gave you power of attorney, or a court appointed you as their guardian, you may be able to take legal action on their behalf.

Residents who are still able to make their own decisions can also file the lawsuit themselves. Many families pursue these cases together, with adult children handling the legal process while their parent focuses on recovering.

If your loved one passed away because of neglect, the personal representative of their estate (the person legally in charge of their affairs) may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

Compensation from nursing home lawsuits can go to surviving spouses, children, and other close family members.

“You don’t need to have all the answers to take action. A lawyer for nursing home neglect can listen to your concerns and help determine if your loved one’s rights may have been violated.”

– Ricky LeBlanc, Nursing Home Lawyer at Sokolove Law

Take the first step right now to see if you may be eligible — get a free case review to find out where your family stands.

How Long Do You Have to Sue for Nursing Home Neglect in Florida?

Strict time limits apply when suing for nursing home neglect in Florida. These deadlines come from the state’s statute of limitations, a law that limits the amount of time someone has to take legal action.

Did You Know

In Florida, you generally have 2 years to file a nursing home neglect lawsuit and 2 years to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

Once the statute of limitations has passed, you can no longer pursue compensation or hold negligent facilities accountable. Because of this, it’s crucial to take action as soon as possible.

Deadlines can vary depending on your family’s situation. Thankfully, you don’t have to figure any of this out on your own. A skilled nursing home attorney can determine which deadline applies to your case and make sure everything is filed on time.

Our legal partners have recovered over $332 million for families harmed in nursing facilities.

Get a free case review right now to see if we can connect you with a top attorney near you.

How to Sue a Florida Nursing Home for Neglect

Suing a Florida nursing home may sound overwhelming, but you won’t have to go through it alone. Once you connect with a lawyer, they’ll handle the legal work while you focus on your loved one.

Here’s how the process usually works:

  1. Get a free case review. Share what happened with our trained patient advocates. It costs nothing to find out if your family may have a case.
  2. Your lawyer investigates. Your legal team gathers medical records, interviews witnesses, and builds the strongest case possible on your behalf.
  3. Your lawyer files the lawsuit. They’ll prepare all the paperwork and file everything before Florida’s deadlines.
  4. Your family seeks compensation. Most nursing home cases settle out of court. If a fair settlement can’t be reached, your lawyer can fight for your family at trial.

Every step is handled by professionals who have done this many times before.

Get Help Suing for Nursing Home Neglect in Florida

Nursing homes and their staff are in a position of trust. When that trust is broken and a loved one is harmed, families deserve answers, accountability, and the resources to move forward.

Suing a Florida nursing home for neglect can help your family afford medical care, cover unexpected expenses, and protect other residents from suffering the same harm.

The Nursing Home Abuse Center partners with experienced nursing home lawyers who can help families across Florida.

Together, our legal partners have recovered over $332 million for families harmed by nursing home abuse and neglect.

Call us right now at (855) 264-6310 or fill out this form to see if your family can take legal action against a negligent Florida nursing home.

Suing for Nursing Home Neglect in Florida FAQs

How hard is it to sue a nursing home for neglect in Florida?

Suing a nursing home in Florida is more manageable when an experienced lawyer handles your case. Your legal team takes care of the investigation, paperwork, and deadlines while your family focuses on your loved one.

Get a free case review to see how easy the first step can be.

How much is a nursing home neglect case worth in Florida?

Case values vary based on the harm your loved one suffered, and some Florida nursing home neglect cases have been worth over $1 million.

Reported results include $2.1 million for a resident with a stage 4 bedsore and $1.8 million for a family whose loved one died from sepsis. An experienced attorney can estimate what your family’s case may be worth.

Call us at (855) 264-6310 or Click to Live Chat to see if you can connect with a top attorney near you.

Is it hard to win a lawsuit against a nursing home in Florida?

Winning a nursing home lawsuit is very possible with the right lawyer, and most nursing home cases settle out of court without a trial. An experienced attorney knows how to gather the evidence needed to prove poor care caused your loved one’s harm.

What are the legal consequences of nursing home negligence in Florida?

Florida nursing homes that neglect residents can be sued and forced to pay compensation to victims and their families.

Facilities may also face state investigations, fines, and increased oversight. Taking legal action holds negligent nursing homes accountable and helps protect other residents.

Nursing Home Abuse Support TeamLast modified:
Nursing home abuse attorney Ricky A. LeBlanc headshotReviewed by:Ricky A. LeBlanc, Esq.

Managing Attorney, Sokolove Law

  • Fact-Checked
  • Editor

Ricky is the managing attorney of Sokolove Law and has been practicing law for 35 years. As head of the firm and an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer, he works to ensure client satisfaction on an individual case level across various areas of litigation, including nursing home abuse.

Julie Rivers HeadshotWritten by:

Eldercare Advocate & Certified Senior Advisor

Julie Rivers is an eldercare advocate with over 25 years of experience focused on nursing home resident safety. She began as a case manager at a nursing home law firm, working with families in crisis. She is a Certified Senior Advisor and also cared for her mother through Alzheimer’s. Her business training deepens her understanding of how for-profit facilities operate.

  1. Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. (2024). FloridaHealthFinder: Long-term care report guides. Retrieved from https://quality.healthfinder.fl.gov/report-guides/long-term-care.
  2. Florida Department of Children and Families. (n.d.). Adult Protective Services. Retrieved from https://www.myflfamilies.com/services/abuse/adult-protective-services.
  3. Florida Department of Elder Affairs. (n.d.). Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. Retrieved from https://elderaffairs.org/programs-and-services/long-term-care-ombudsman-program.
  4. Florida Legislature. (n.d.). Florida Statutes § 400.023: Civil enforcement. Retrieved from https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0400/Sections/0400.023.html.
  5. Sokolove Law. (2026). Florida nursing home abuse lawyer. Retrieved from https://www.sokolovelaw.com/locations/florida/nursing-home-abuse/.