Georgia Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyer

Nursing home abuse and neglect occurs far more often than you might think. It’s one of the most underreported types of abuse that occurs in Georgia. This is in large part because we expect our elderly loved ones to speak up when abuse is happening, but they may not always be able to do this. Some elderly individuals cannot communicate with you about what is happening to them, or they may be too embarrassed or ashamed to do so. As a loved one, you need to be their voice when you suspect nursing home abuse or neglect. You can do that by calling a Georgia nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer.

With over 20 years of experience helping victims of nursing home abuse, our lawyers know the most effective ways to stop the abuse and get you and get justice for you and your loved one. Your loved one may be entitled to money damages because of what they have experienced—and this can help them get the standard of care they deserve.

If you suspect abuse or you want to know what your legal options are after a confirmed case of abuse or neglect, contact us. Call us at 888-553-0419 or fill out the form to the right and we will give you a FREE consultation.

What is nursing home abuse and neglect?

Nursing home abuse can take many forms. In fact, neglect is a form of abuse—and it’s often the most common. Other types of abuse can include a wide range of actions from intentional mistreatment to carelessness that leads to harm. Some of the most common forms of nursing home abuse include:

• Emotional or social neglect. When an elderly person is kept in a room by themselves for hours on end, this can significantly harm them both mentally and emotionally. Your loved one can experience emotional or social trauma even when their physical needs are being met.
• Neglect regarding personal hygiene. One of the most common signs that your loved one is being neglected is that their personal hygiene is poor. Your loved one should receive assistance that keeps them clean and healthy—this is true even when your loved one cannot maintain their cleanliness on their own.
• Medical neglect. Elderly individuals often have an array of medical needs, from getting the proper medications to obtaining regular medical care for checkups. When a nursing home does not provide medical attention when your loved one needs it, that can be a form of abuse or neglect.
• Basic needs neglect. Any time your loved one’s basic needs are not being met by the nursing home, that is considered abuse or neglect. Basic needs include things like food, water, and living in a safe and clean environment.
• Psychological abuse. Some nursing home staff will belittle their residents or make them feel like they are not real adults. This type of treatment is not only disrespectful, but it can also rise to the level of abuse.
• Financial abuse or exploitation. Nursing home abuse also includes situations where the staff takes advantage of your loved one from a financial perspective. This could consist of simple things like stealing items from their room—but it can also include more elaborate situations of financial fraud as well.
• Sexual abuse. Because older loved ones cannot defend themselves in many situations, they are more susceptible to sexual abuse. Any type of unwanted sexual behavior toward an elderly person can be considered sexual abuse.

Any time that your isn’t being treated with the respect and dignity that they deserve, they may be experiencing abuse or neglect. Listen to your loved one and do some of your own investigation if necessary.

5 Things You Should Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect

Some family members ignore the signs of nursing home abuse or don’t take their loved one’s complaints seriously—don’t do this! If you suspect that your loved one is experiencing nursing home abuse or neglect, you need to take action.

1. Document what has happened.

Jot down a few notes about what you have experienced or what your loved one is telling you. If, for example, you notice that your loved one has bed sores, take photos of the injuries. Write down anyone that you suspect was involved in the incident. If you are unsure of when or who was involved, make a note of every staff member that cares for your loved one. This information will be vital later.

2. Report the incident.

Talk to the management about your loved one’s treatment. In some situations, management may not be aware of what is happening. They can often take steps to address the problem right away, such as by removing the person caring for your loved one from the premises or assigning that person to other tasks, depending on the situation.

3. Make a formal report.

Sometimes simply talking to the staff is not enough. If you feel like the report has not corrected the problem, you can report the abuse to the Georgia Elder Abuse Hotline. You can call them at 1-866-552-4464 or make an online report here. If your loved one is in immediate danger or needs emergency medical care, call 911.

If you are unsure, err on the side of getting help.

4. Remove your loved one from the situation.

It’s a good idea to remove your loved one from the abusive environment as soon as possible. In many cases, it’s not enough just to remove the people involved. Allowing your loved one to recover fully often means getting them into another environment where they feel safe.

5. Call in a Georgia nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer.

Once you have addressed your loved one’s immediate needs, you should make an appointment to talk to an attorney who has experience with nursing home abuse and neglect cases in Georgia. They will be able to walk you through your legal options and help you decide what your next steps should be.

Talk to a Georgia Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Lawyer for Free

You can fight back after your loved one has experienced abuse or neglect in a nursing home. And your actions can help others get the help they need as well. Let us give you a FREE consultation to help you maximize your financial recovery—and get justice for your loved one. Call us at 888-553-0419 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.