Can a nursing home be held liable if a resident with dementia wanders away and is injured?

Yes. When a Florida facility admits a resident diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, it has a legal duty under Fla. Stat. § 400.022 to provide adequate supervision and a secure environment. If a resident wanders outside the facility—an event known as elopement—the facility can be held liable for resulting harm or wrongful death. Liability typically stems from broken door alarms, inadequate staffing, or failure to follow an individualized care plan. At The Altman Law Firm, attorney Jeffrey S. Altman reviews facility security protocols, staffing logs, and care assessments to determine whether negligent supervision permitted a vulnerable resident to leave unattended.