A recent court ruling in Palm Beach County, secured by Ryan P. Ingraham, ESQ, creates new protections for patients in Florida substance abuse treatment facilities.

On January 1, 2025, Florida law started explicitly protecting your right to housing, but discrimination against people taking life-saving medications remains a serious problem across the recovery community. As someone who has dedicated my career to protecting vulnerable individuals in the recovery system, I need to be direct: recovery house operators have no license to practice medicine and should not be deciding what medications a person needs for their recovery.

When a loved one leaves a rehab facility without permission, it can be terrifying. This situation, known as patient elopement, raises serious safety and legal concerns. You need clear, direct information about your rights and options. Patient elopement legal cases are complex, but you don’t have to face them alone. Understanding the legal landscape can help you protect your family and hold negligent facilities accountable.

Attorney Ryan P. Ingraham has seen insurance companies defend these absent medical directors by claiming "we followed the law on paper." This guide explains what families need to know about medical directors and what questions to ask.

When families and individuals seek help at a Florida rehab facility, they trust that facility to provide safe care. They enter treatment during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives. Not all treatment centers meet the legal and medical standards required to protect patients. Rehab malpractice in Florida can result in severe injuries, relapse, permanent disability, or death.