What Constitutes Treatment Center Negligence?
Florida has become a destination for treatment centers and other facilities dedicated to helping those addicted to alcohol (or other substances) kick the proverbial habit. However, with the rush of new business, many facilities cut corners, so to speak. The standard of care provided is below that which a patient of a treatment center should expect, which can lead to injury and death. If you or a loved one has experienced negligence from a substance abuse treatment center, you have the right to file suit against the establishment.
Standard Of Care Is Vague
Substance abuse treatment centers are medical facilities, which must be licensed and adhere to a certain standard of care. By holding themselves out as being in the business of helping addicts, they create certain duties they owe to their patients – not necessarily to cure them of addiction, but to offer assistance and a safe place for them to try and overcome it themselves. A failure to observe those duties (and all applicable laws) means that the facility – and, in some cases, a specific individual working at the facility – can be held liable.
That said, the standard of care for treatment centers is not well established in Florida law; unlike the regulations establishing a fairly definitive standard of care for medical professionals. This can make it difficult to hold the facility liable, though it may be slightly easier to file suit against an individual. If a licensed physician, social worker, or other professional acts in a negligent manner, you may be able to file a medical malpractice claim against them in certain situations.
Negligence Comes In All Kinds
If you suspect that you or a loved one has suffered injury due to a drug or alcohol treatment center’s negligence, it is important to keep in mind that there are countless ways to establish negligence. A 2018 case in Florida revolved around a patient who had been suffering an alleged psychotic episode – the man was taken to a treatment center, but no one was available to perform an intake. The man wandered into the road and was killed after being struck by a vehicle. His widow filed a negligence lawsuit alleging a failure to keep her husband – and the surrounding residents – safe.
In short, negligence does not necessarily have to be administering the wrong medication or failing to check on a patient. A substance abuse treatment center has a duty to exercise reasonable care toward its patients, and any kind of action (or lack thereof) may rise to the level of negligence if it can be shown that the patient suffered injury as a direct result of the facility’s (or its workers’) choices. Consulting a knowledgeable attorney on this type of matter can make a big difference in determining your path forward.
Contact A Tampa Treatment Center Liability Attorney
If you are in a position to need the help of a treatment center, you should be able to rest easy and put your trust in the facility you have chosen. If you believe that you or a loved one have experienced negligence from a drug or alcohol treatment facility, contacting a Tampa substance abuse treatment center attorney from the Rinaldo Law Group can help get your questions answered. Contact our offices today for a free consultation.
Resource:
abcactionnews.com/news/local-news/i-team-investigates/drug-rehab-sued-over-fraud-exploitation-neglect-and-wrongful-death
