Due to the abundance of sunny weather, theme parks, beach resorts, and golf courses, millions of seniors decide to spend their retirement years in Orlando and Melbourne of Central Florida. However, this state is not always an ideal destination due to the many claims of elder abuse. According to the World Health Organization, about 1 in 6 individuals 60 years and older experienced a form of abuse in the past year. Even more frightening, 2 out of 3 staff members in nursing homes and long-term facilities have reported committing abuse.

Senior citizens depend on excellent care for their general health and well-being. A resident who is suffering from abuse is in danger of injury or death due to lack of proper food, water, shelter, and medication that a caregiver is obligated to provide. If you suspect a family member has been abused while staying in a long-term care facility in Orlando, the law offices of David R. Heil, PA is ready to assist you. Learn more about the forms of elder abuse in Central Florida below.

Forms of Elder Abuse in Orlando

Many signs of elder abuse are, unfortunately, difficult to identify because seniors are not physically or mentally capable of defending themselves or they are too afraid to speak up. Here are some common types of abuse to look out for.

• Negligent or insufficient hiring: nursing homes are required to hire a certain number of qualified personnel who have all been subjected to a proper background check. 
• Physical abuse: this includes, but is not limited to, inappropriate physical contact as well as the use of restraints to keep seniors from standing, moving, or leaving their room. 
• Emotional abuse: seniors may experience verbal threats, insults, manipulation, or forced isolation from other residents. 
• Financial abuse: a facility employee may try to use a resident’s finances for their own benefit, such as cashing checks without consent or tricking them into signing a will or contract. 
• Neglect: the failure to provide the essential needs of a senior in their facility, such as lack of medical treatment or assisting with personal hygiene. 

Signs of elder abuse exhibit themselves in a number of ways, such as unexplained withdrawal, anxiety, depression, or mood swings. To learn more about the effects of elder abuse, family members may visit the National Institute on Aging from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Contact Orlando Elder Abuse Attorneys 

If a care facility or its employees have acted in an abusive way toward you or a close family member in Orlando or Central Florida, it’s essential to take action immediately. Attorney David Heil will stand by your side and hold facilities responsible for their actions toward your loved one. Mr. Heil can help you report the abuse to the right authorities and investigate all information related to the events. The nursing home or care facility may be responsible for any medical bills, pain and suffering, or disability. Contact attorney David R. Heil today to learn more about his years of experience fighting for nursing home abuse victims in Orlando, Deland, Winter Park and Melbourne, Florida.

While the term is used to describe a wide range of accidents, a slip and fall occur when an individual loses their footing, falls, and becomes injured while on another person’s property. This situation can be common if there is a wet or slippery floor in a grocery store, mall, restaurant, or another public place. You may assume a slip and fall is minor, but sometimes these accidents can lead to long-term complications. Common injuries from a fall can cause extensive neck, back, and shoulder pain down the road, for instance.

A business is required to keep their property in a reasonably safe and secure condition for patrons and guests. If there is a portion of the property that is unsafe, the issue needs to be fixed as soon as possible. For example, perhaps a property owner has failed to mop up spilled liquid or has not kept their floor free from certain hazards and debris.

David R. Heil, PA is a skilled personal injury attorney with offices in Orlando, Melbourne, Winter Park and DeLand, FL who has the knowledge to guide you through the process if you have been involved in a slip and fall. For questions or concerns, feel free to contact a member of our team today.

What to do in a Slip and Fall 

If you are injured as a result of negligence in Central Florida, you should be aware of your rights. You may be entitled to compensation. This can include medical expenses, lost wages both now and in the future, disability, and other costs related to the injury. Other damages include mental anguish and emotional stress.

To make sure you are successful in a slip and fall injury, we stress the importance of gathering as much evidence as possible on the scene. This means taking many photos of the site if possible. If you are busy taking care of your injury, you can ask a friend or family member to do it for you. Witness statements can also be valuable in this situation. An experienced Florida personal injury attorney can also help you gather and examine the evidence related to the slip and fall.

Why You Need a Top Attorney 

Personal injury cases are also subject to a statute of limitations, which means the state of Florida limits how long you have to file a slip and fall complaint. Those who fail to file a claim within the timeline may not get the compensation they require. Speaking with an attorney as soon as possible means you can get the process started right away.

If a large corporation is at fault for the slip and fall, you may find yourself up against a large legal team with many resources. Florida slip and fall attorneys are experienced in personal injury law and can help you protect your rights. At David R. Heil, PA, we will help you get the best chance of success. We have dealt with a number of cases related to slip and fall injuries, worker’s compensation, auto accidents, and more. Contact us for your free case review today.

According to the Florida Department of Health, our state leads the country in drowning deaths of children under 5 years old. Many others suffer from near-drowning and the injuries that come with it, including asphyxiation, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, or loss of consciousness, which may result in permanent disabilities. Some medical complications are unfortunately not known until months after the initial accident.

If you live in Orlando or Central Florida, it is essential to know your rights as a guest at a swimming pool. Whether private or public including a theme park, managers and owners of swimming pools are obligated to keep their facilities safe for guests. Typically, this means installing lockable gates and barriers so young children can’t access the pool without the help of a trusted guardian. Other pool-related accidents are caused by broken pool slides and diving boards, defective equipment, dangerous or improperly covered drains, and negligent supervision.

Medical Care For Swimming Pool Injuries 

Not all types of swimming pool injuries are alike. While some deaths happen immediately as a direct cause of drowning, near-drowning may be just as dangerous. Near-drowning can lead to severe brain damage, respiratory distress, and disabilities that can lead to death days or even months following the accident.

Non-fatal swimming pool injuries in Central Florida are serious and require immediate medical attention even if your child does not show symptoms at first. A healthcare provider must conduct a series of tests to measure the level of oxygen in the body, as well as perform scans of the brain, chest, lungs, and heart. These will expose issues like collapsed lungs or pneumonia. If there is damage discovered, a doctor will help you and your family move forward with options for treatment.

Property owners are required to follow certain safety standards to avoid these tragic injuries. For example, in 2000, legislators enacted the Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act to reduce the number of deaths and injuries acquired at Florida swimming pools. This requires residential pools, hot tubs, and spas to be equipped with at least one safety feature. This means safety nets, pool covers, drain covers, and more.

Contact Orlando Swimming Pool Accident Attorneys 

While there is no amount of money that can compensate for the loss of a child, it is critical to seek legal counsel to ensure the incident never occurs again at the hands of a negligent adult. More than that, timely filing of a claim for the injury gives your family the resources to ultimately help during the recovery process.

Florida is one of the most dangerous states in the nation for swimming pool injuries. As an experienced injury attorney in Orlando and Central Florida, David R. Heil, PA advises you to use caution when using any swimming facility and keep young children supervised at all times. If you or a member of your family has suffered a serious injury or death due to someone else’s negligence, our Orlando law firm will understand the circumstances of the accident and help you get compensation for medical expenses, rehabilitative care, and more.

Sharing the road with semi-truck drivers in Orlando, Winter Park, Melbourne, and Central Florida as a whole is essential for everyone to get to their destination safely. However, a truck driver puts your safety at risk by falling asleep, speeding, or making illegal turns. The result of an accident on a major highway is often catastrophic, leading to property damage, physical injury, or even death. While there are many reasons why a truck accident would occur, the fact is that they can happen any time, even if you are a careful driver. If you or a member of your family has been injured due to the reckless actions of a truck driver, contact David R. Heil, PA, an Orlando personal injury attorney, without delay.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents 

Truck driving is a profession that typically pays drivers by miles, not hours, so some drivers take risks, such as speeding, on Florida highways to get to their destination even faster. The following are some of the most common causes of truck accidents:

• Distracted driving: Any form of distracted driving is dangerous, so any behavior or activity that takes a person’s hands off the wheel or eyes off the road, such as looking down at their smartphone, can be considered reckless. 
• Improper breaking: A loaded semi-truck requires more time to stop than a traditional car because of the additional size and weight. If a truck driver does not take the time to apply their brakes, this can result in a rear-end crash with the car behind them. 
• Fatigued driving: Drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as driving while under the influence. Some truckers are on the road for days at a time, leading to an impairment of their reaction time and overall judgment. 

What to do Following a Truck Accident 

The most important action following an accident with a semi-truck in Central Florida is to seek medical attention. Some of the most common injuries from vehicle collision are injuries to the head, neck, spinal cord, and back. While internal injuries are visible to the eye, they can be just as dangerous.

Even if you don’t feel any pain or see any physical injuries, it doesn’t necessarily mean you were unaffected. If there is a witness willing to help, have them record the details of the accident, the name and license plate of the truck driver, and take photos of any damage. This can help with your case in court later on. At the hospital or medical facility, your first priority is to receive any treatment as recommended by your doctor. They can help you keep track of your injuries and costs for care.

Truck drivers provide an essential service in the transportation industry, but when they place their own immediate needs over the safety of others, this can result in a serious accident and physical, emotional, and financial stress. Personal injury lawyers understand the stress clients in Orlando, Winter Park and Melbourne Florida face when experiencing an accident on the highway. At Heil Law, we will work to secure fair financial compensation for you. To learn more about what you are entitled to after an accident, reach out to David R. Heil today.

A car accident is a distressing event that can have long-lasting effects. In addition to property damage and injury, car accidents leave some victims with feelings of stress that simply won’t go away. If this is the case, you may have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, and should get the treatment you need right away.

Research tells us that 9 percent of the population who have been in a car accident has suffered from a form of PTSD. When thousands of people each year are injured in a motor vehicle accident in Central Florida, this number adds up. David R. Heil, PA is a trusted Orlando auto accident attorney who can help you get compensation if you have been diagnosed with PTSD or another stress-related disorder as the result of a collision. Schedule a consultation with him to discuss your case and to see how we may be able to help.

PTSD Symptoms Following a Car Accident

To understand if you suffer from PTSD, it is crucial to recognize the symptoms. You may feel nervous or anxious when you get behind the wheel of a car, or you may stay away from certain roads while driving. In more extreme cases, you may avoid driving altogether to prevent another car accident from occurring. This distress can lead to depression or immense emotional distress, which is why you must get help as soon as possible.

If you have suffered from injuries due to a car accident, whether they were mild or life-threatening, seek medical care from a physician who will be able to evaluate you for physical injuries as well as symptoms of PTSD. They will review your medical history, recommend prescription medications, and refer you to a specialist if they feel that it will be helpful for your situation. The longer you wait for an assessment, however, the more this condition can have an impact on your personal life.

PTSD Can Affect Your Ability to Live and Work

There are many types of physical injuries that can prevent you from going to work, including limited mobility due to a broken leg or arm. However, you should know that PTSD can equally affect your ability to work. Some symptoms of PTSD include the inability to concentrate or focus, resulting in poor performance in the workplace. More than that, PTSD can impact your professional relationships. Persistent thoughts of the traumatic event can make you feel like you are reliving the experience, which can be crippling. You may even want to avoid anything that reminds you of the event, including certain people, places, or events.

In Orlando, personal injury claims involve more than just your initial medical expenses. Car accidents can lead to anxiety, depression, and other conditions that may follow you for the rest of your life. You may be entitled to compensation for signs of pain and suffering, mental anguish, and PTSD. The sooner you consult with an attorney, the more substantial your claim will appear in court. Contact David R. Heil, PA in Central Florida for a consult today.  We have offices in Orlando, Winter Park, Deland, and Melbourne, Florida.