Atlanta Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

Under Georgia’s Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987, all nursing home residents are entitled to receive quality health care and live in a safe environment that improves or maintains their current physical and mental health levels. This means that nursing homes have a legal duty to provide for the care and safety of residents, as well as keep them free from abuse, neglect, or mistreatment.

Under the law, nursing home abuse and neglect are two different offences. Nursing home neglect happens when the nursing home or staff fail to care for a resident in a way that would help them avoid pain and harm. Neglect can be intentional or unintentional. Abuse, on the other hand, is the intentional infliction of harm on a resident.

Common Types of Nursing Home Abuse

Intentional nursing home abuse comes in many forms. Some of the most common types include:

• Physical violence
• Emotional abuse
• Financial abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Providing substandard care that causes a new medical condition, like dehydration or pressure sores

Recognizing the warning signs of nursing home abuse requires diligence, as residents might not be aware that they’re being mishandled. Look for signs like unexplained injuries, a worsening mental state, unexpected changes in behavior, and untreated medical conditions.

What to Do if You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse

If you suspect nursing home abuse, then you need to immediately get yourself or your loved one to safety. If necessary, then switch providers to secure your safety. Document evidence of the incident if possible by getting a new diagnosis from a new provider, getting photographs of the injuries, or obtaining other proof of the abuse. Next, report the incident to Georgia’s Department of Community Health and get in touch with a nursing home abuse attorney.

Proving negligence in a nursing home case can be extremely challenging. For one, you’ll want to get a new medical physical from a new provider. This report can uncover evidence of previous negligence if you or your loved one developed new medical conditions like bed sores, dehydration, or malnutrition. You’ll also want to collect witness statements, surveillance footage, photographs, and any other evidence you can secure that substantiates your claims.

What Compensation Can You Recover in a Nursing Home Abuse Case?

In a nursing home abuse case, you can recover compensation that covers the extent of the losses associated with your injury. This can include the costs associated with medical bills, lost wages from loved ones providing for your care, pain and suffering, and an overall loss of quality of life. You could be eligible for other losses too, based on your specific circumstances. Consider searching online for nursing home abuse lawyers near me or consulting with our team here at the Singleton Law firm to get a better estimate of what your claim is worth.

Economic vs. Non-Economic Damages in Assisted Living Abuse Claims

Economic damages describe the financial losses incurred as a result of the injury including any medical bills or lost wages from loved ones who had to forgo work to take up caring for the abused resident. Non-economic damages are the losses associated with the injury that are more difficult to value and prove, like the mental anguish or pain and suffering associated with the abuse.

To hold a nursing home accountable for the injury, contact a nursing home abuse attorney. They’ll help you document your economic and non-economic losses, file a claim, and pursue the compensation you’re entitled to under the law.

Why Work With a Lawyer for Nursing Home Abuse in Atlanta

Working with a nursing home abuse attorney is usually in your best interests because the nursing home will very likely have a legal team of their own. This legal team will be prepared to attempt to dispute or minimize any claims of neglect or abuse.

Having the right personal injury attorney by your side will help you overcome these early challenges and ensure you get the money you deserve.

The team here at Singleton Law Firm can help you navigate your nursing home abuse lawsuit from start to finish while you and your family focus on healing from what happened.