When elderly family members can no longer care for themselves, their loving relatives sometimes place them in a nursing home. This is an extremely difficult decision for everyone involved. Loved ones want to ensure that the nursing home staff will take proper care of their family member. They want to be sure residents are treated with the respect they deserve.
Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Nursing home staff members can be neglectful or abusive, and residents suffer serious injuries as a result.
When these unfortunate situations arise, you could file a claim to recover for losses your family member sustained. These claims can quickly become complex and confusing. It’s important to work with a Georgia nursing home abuse lawyer who can help.
If you suspect that your loved one has been a victim, call a Georgia nursing home abuse lawyer today at https://caininjurylaw.com/georgia-nursing-home-abuse-lawyer/ or contact us online. We will schedule a free case review and explore how we can help your family.
Do you suspect your loved one is being abused or neglected in a nursing home? You may be unsure of what to do. You can take these steps to keep your loved one safe:
You should always speak to a lawyer any time you suspect nursing home abuse or neglect. A lawyer will know what action to take and can help your loved ones get the justice and compensation they deserve.
It is often difficult to confirm that nursing home abuse has occurred — even when you have good reason to suspect it. A nursing home abuse attorney will conduct an investigation. The attorney will collect evidence that proves your loved one has been a victim of abuse or neglect. This evidence can include medical records, eyewitness statements and photographs.
An attorney will also know what federal and state laws apply to the claim. After filing a claim, an attorney will negotiate a settlement with the nursing home’s insurance company. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, an attorney will file a lawsuit to secure the compensation victims need.
In most cases, either the nursing home staff member or the nursing homeowner is held liable for abuse or neglect. The staff member can be held liable for neglect or abusive actions. The nursing homeowner can be held liable for improper hiring practices. Those hiring practices may include failing to conduct background checks or failing to ensure a staff member had the proper experience and qualifications.
In some cases, another resident may be held responsible for nursing home abuse. For example, if one resident regularly hits or slapped your loved one, you can file a claim against that resident. In these cases, you may also be able to file a claim against the nursing home for failing to prevent or stop the abuse.
When your loved one has been the victim of nursing home neglect or abuse, you can file a claim for compensation on their behalf. Your loved one may also file a claim. By filing a personal injury claim your loved one can receive compensation for the damages suffered as the result of abuse or neglect.
The most common types of damages include compensation for:
In some nursing home abuse cases, punitive damages are also available. These damages are awarded when a loved one can prove gross negligence or intentional misconduct by the nursing home. Contact the expert lawyers at https://caininjurylaw.com/georgia-nursing-home-abuse-lawyer/ for help getting compensation.
Although nursing home residents may suffer from any type of injury when abused or neglected, some injuries are more common than others. These include:
In the most tragic cases, elders do not survive their abuse, resulting in a wrongful death case.
Residents of nursing homes rarely come forward with complaints about abuse and neglect. Family members should know that signs of neglect and abuse can vary, depending on what type of abuse or neglect is occurring.
The signs of physical abuse include, for example:
Emotional abuse can also occur in nursing homes. This type of abuse typically involves:
Signs of emotional abuse include mumbling or sucking one’s thumb.
Sexual abuse is one of the most egregious types of abuse that can occur in a nursing home. This type of abuse may manifest itself with:
Financial abuse occurs when nursing home staff members steal from an elderly person or trick them into giving them money. Signs of this abuse include:
When you notice any of these or other signs of abuse, you should speak to an attorney who can help correct the situation.
When you suspect nursing home neglect or abuse, report it to the appropriate authorities. This should ensure the mistreatment of your loved one stops. It may also keep the mistreatment from happening to anyone else. You can report nursing home abuse to the Georgia Department of Community Heath’s Healthcare Facility Regulation (HFR) at (800) 878-6442.
The statistics regarding nursing home abuse in Georgia are disturbing. They underscore the need for loved ones to be constantly on the lookout for troubling signs. Consider these shocking numbers:
These numbers will start to fall only when nursing home abuse or neglect is regularly reported and these facilities are held responsible.
There is no excuse for nursing home abuse and neglect. If you suspect that your loved one is a victim, get help right away from a Georgia nursing home abuse lawyer. At Cain Injury Law, we know how to hold nursing homes and their insurance companies accountable.
When your loved one needs help, call us or contact us online. We will schedule a free case review and explore what we can do for your family.
We proudly serve all areas of Gwinnett County and Georgia, including Lawrenceville, Grayson, Duluth, Auburn, Berkeley Lake, Braselton, Buford, Dacula, Lilburn, Loganville, Norcross, Peachtree Corners, Rest Haven, Snellville, Sugar Hill, and Suwanee. Our firm also serves clients in Alabama.
*Disclaimer: We work on a contingency fee schedule, meaning we do not get paid unless we win YOUR case.
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