Our Firm Holds Georgia Nursing Homes Accountable
Nursing home abuse and neglect can lead to lifelong injuries and pain for victims and devastation for families who have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence or intentional abuse.
Many families have no choice but to put their loved one in a nursing home or other long-term care facility. Family members often feel they can no longer properly care for their loved one, so they put their trust in a facility expecting it will provide the care their loved one needs and deserves. Sadly, many Southwest Georgia nursing homes fail to implement proper procedures or follow federal regulations that are meant to protect elderly or disabled nursing home residents. As a result, many residents are seriously injured or die due to negligence and/or corporate misconduct.
Our Albany nursing home abuse attorney represents victims of nursing home abuse and neglect. When a nursing home is negligent or abusive and it leads to a resident’s serious injury or death, we hold the right people responsible. All residents living in a long-term care facility deserve a safe and positive environment and their families deserve the peace of mind that their loved one is well taken care of.
What is Nursing Home Abuse?
Nursing home abuse is any intentional mistreatment by a staff member, nurse, caregiver, or individual that creates risk or harm to a resident.
Different types of nursing home abuse may include:
- Physical: Hitting, pushing, pinching, burning, pulling hair, or unnecessary restraint.
- Emotional: Yelling, name-calling, threatening, talking down to, ignoring, withdrawing affection or attention, or causing a resident to feel unnecessary guilt.
- Psychological: Ignoring or intentionally not meeting the needs of a resident, terrorizing, intimidating, isolation.
- Sexual: Unwanted sexual contact, forced nudity, rape, sexual assault and/or sexual battery.
- Financial: Forgery, stealing, cashing a resident’s checks, deceiving or coercing a resident to sign documents that relinquish their rights.
A resident who is being abused may show signs of the abuse that you can look out for.
Common signs include:
- Depression
- Withdrawal
- Fear, especially around specific caregivers
- Agitation
- Visible bruising, scratches, and/or scars
- Broken bones
- Unexplained weight loss
- Confusion
- STDs
- Torn clothing
What is Nursing Home Neglect?
Nursing home neglect is when a supervisor, manager, staff member, or caregiver fails to provide a resident with their basic needs. Neglect can cause serious injury, illnesses, and psychological trauma. Some residents may not be able to verbally communicate to their loved ones about what is going on, but there are signs your loved one may be suffering from neglect.
Types of neglect include:
- Abandonment
- Failing to provide proper nutrition
- Failing to provide proper medications
- Ignoring the needs of the resident
- Not providing proper hygienic care
Neglect may also manifest in failing to follow federal regulations, which include:
- Proper ratio of staff to residents
- Proper assessment of each resident’s functional capacity
- Developing and implementing a comprehensive care plan for each resident
- Ensuring adequate supervision as needed
- Ensuring residents don’t develop pressure sores (bed sores) or providing proper treatment and care to promote healing and prevent infection if a resident already has a pressure sore
- Maintain the dignity and respect of every resident
- Maintain accurate and easily accessible records for each resident
Signs of nursing home neglect may include:
- Dehydration
- Malnutrition
- Unhygienic conditions
- Falls
- Fractures or other injuries
- Elopement
- Pressure sores
- Infections
- Frequent illnesses or trips to the hospital
- Heavy medication or sedation
What You Can Do to Stop Abuse & Neglect
The federal government has regulations in place to protect residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. Your loved one deserves the best care available—when that care is violated, you can turn to the Georgia Division of Aging Services as well as take legal action. If you suspect your loved one is a victim of abuse or neglect and you wish to fight back, our firm will be your trusted guide.
The Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., is a strong ally when it comes to defending the rights of our clients in a nursing home abuse or neglect case. Our knowledge of Georgia nursing home laws and experience in serious personal injury cases means we can successfully fight for your interests, and make sure settlements and awards will meet your financial needs.
Get the compensation you deserve and hold the right people accountable. Call (229) 999-4476 to speak with our nursing home abuse attorney at the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., today. You can also fill out our online contact form.
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