Florida’s Elder Abuse Laws
Not only is nursing home abuse a matter of life, safety, and a violation of civil law, it can also be a crime. Florida law 825.102 prohibits abuse, aggravated abuse, and neglect of vulnerable adults. The law defines abuse as intentionally physically or psychologically injuring a vulnerable adult or doing something that’s likely to cause a physical or psychological injury.
Even when the act doesn’t result in any actual harm, it’s still a serious felony under Florida law. When the abuse is aggravated, it’s a first-degree felony. To be aggravated elder abuse, it usually requires torturing a vulnerable adult or inflicting great bodily harm.
Florida law also contains a prohibition of neglect against vulnerable adults which applies to all caregivers. A caregiver violates this law when they fail to provide a person in their care with appropriate food, nutrition, clothing, and other necessities. Neglect of a vulnerable adult is also a felony.