Nursing homes in Sandy Springs should be a safe place for our senior population to live and receive care, but unfortunately, neglect and abuse is too common. If you know or suspect that a loved one is suffering in this way, take legal action now. A Sandy Springs nursing home abuse attorney can help.
Abuse is a serious matter that we at John Foy & Associates never take lightly. We fight tirelessly for our clients to call out wrongdoing, pursue compensation for you and your family, and work to prevent the abuse from ever happening again. Schedule your free consultation today.
The Alarming Statistics of Nursing Home Abuse
According to nursing home care facts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are around 1.3 million nursing home residents in the United States. As people are living longer, more are moving to these types of facilities for assistance during their golden years.
According to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), research on nursing home abuse is not as up-to-date as other types of abuse in the country. There are ethical dilemmas, a lack of qualified researchers, and other barriers that prevent us from having straightforward statistics on elder abuse. That being said, the data we do have is very concerning:
- A comprehensive review found about a 10% prevalence of elder abuse that included physical, sexual, psychological or verbal, and financial abuse, as well as neglect.
- Another study in New York estimated that one in 13 senior adults in the state had suffered at least one type of abuse in the year before.
- Elder abuse often goes unreported, so the real statistics could be even higher than we realize.
- Low social support, dementia, low income, poor physical health, and past traumatic events are all risk factors for nursing home abuse.
Do You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse?
If you suspect abuse is happening to someone you love, it’s important to not ignore it or brush it off. Our gut instincts about these types of things are often correct. The best thing you can do for your loved one is to contact an experienced nursing home abuse attorney in Sandy Springs for help.
Our team at John Foy & Associates is here to listen with understanding and compassion. We have been helping families with abuse cases for more than 25 years, and we are passionate about helping. We’ll discuss the details of what is happening and come up with a plan. Plus, we do not charge you any fees unless we win your case.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse in Georgia
There are various forms abuse can take in a nursing home setting. Some are more obvious, while others can go under the radar for years unless a family member notices. Here are some types and signs of abuse that may occur.
Physical Abuse
Unfortunately, nursing home residents can suffer physical abuse from staff. Whether it’s a one-time occurrence or it happens frequently, physical abuse is never excusable. Physical abuse may include slapping, shoving, or being rough with elderly residents during their care.
Common signs of physical abuse include:
- Bruising
- Sprains
- Cuts and scrapes
- Hair loss
Neglect
Although neglect may happen in a more passive manner than other types of abuse—and may be intentional or unintentional—it is still a huge cause for concern. Neglect can take the form of:
- Denying food, exercise, sleep, or medications
- Not providing routine and essential care
- Bedsores
- Mismanaging medications
- Being allowed to leave the premises or wander unsupervised
- Needless falls
Your loved one should be able to trust and rely on the nursing home staff at their facility. Sadly, nursing homes are often understaffed and/or mismanaged, which can lead to neglect from lack of personnel or poor and hasty hiring decisions. No matter the reason, if the elderly resident suffers harm as a result of the neglect, it’s likely grounds for a legal case.
Emotional Abuse
Even if physical injuries never occur, employees might subject residents to emotional abuse. This could be yelling at them, shaming them, ignoring their requests, or being emotionally cruel. Bullying by another resident can also happen, and staff may fail to notice it or do anything to stop it.
Sexual Abuse
It’s terrible to even think about it, but elderly residents are often more susceptible to sexual abuse in settings like nursing homes. Sexual abuse can happen if another resident is a predator or unwelcome contact takes place from a staff member. No one, no matter their age, should experience sexual contact without their consent.
Financial Abuse
Financial abuse in nursing homes can take the form of forcing a resident to sign over money, stealing money from the resident, credit card fraud, or denying basic care unless the resident pays money.
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What does Nursing Home Abuse Look Like?
You have a better chance of protecting your loved one if you know what nursing home abuse looks like. Common warning signs include:
- Malnutrition or dehydration
- Sudden weight loss
- Unexplained bruises or injuries
- Frequent infections or illness
- Frequent hospitalization
- Overuse of psychotropic medication
- Unusual emotional outbursts or withdrawal
- Sudden financial issues
- Changes to your loved one’s power of attorney or will
Elder abuse isn’t always obvious. If your loved one appears fearful of staff or less talkative than usual, there may be something wrong they are unable to express.
Why Abuse Happens in Nursing Homes in Sandy Springs
Nursing home abuse should never happen. It most commonly happens most when:
- A facility has poorly-trained staff
- Staff is insufficient
- Management is negligent
Many employees in nursing homes are not registered nurses or medical professionals. They may be paid low wages and not care about their work.
Demand for nursing home care is also increasing, while staff turnover is high. This can make it hard to find consistent employees who are good at their jobs. So, if you suspect anything at all, confirm your suspicions with a nursing home abuse lawyer in Sandy Springs.
How a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Can Help Your Case
When we receive a call about a possible nursing home abuse case, the client and their case is treated with the utmost confidentiality and security. The legal proceedings remain private until the investigation is completed and we know that your elderly loved one is safe.
We’ll begin by investigating what is going on, get to the bottom of the abuse, and work to fight for your loved one’s rights. We understand the sensitivity and empathy that is required for this type of case, and we are here to support your family.
How Your Lawyer Will Prove Negligence
Most nursing home abuse cases hinge on a lawyer’s ability to prove that the facility was negligent. Your lawyer will gather evidence to connect your loved one’s harm to nursing home staff actions.
To prove the senior care facility was negligent, our nursing home abuse lawyers in Sandy Springs will establish:
- Duty of care: The nursing home owed your loved one reasonable care.
- Breach of duty of care: The facility or staff members failed to provide adequate care.
- Causation: The breach of duty caused your loved one to suffer injuries or mental anguish.
- Damages: Your loved one sustained damages due to the abuse or neglect
How Long does It Take to Settle a Nursing Home Lawsuit?
If you are considering initiating legal proceedings against an abusive nursing home, be prepared for a lengthy undertaking. On average, a nursing home lawsuit may take anywhere from 18 to 24 months to resolve. Cases seeking higher payouts will take longer to settle and may require a court trial.
Free Consult With a Sandy Springs Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
No one should suffer from nursing home abuse. Don’t wait to give us a call. The Sandy Springs nursing home abuse attorneys from John Foy & Associates are ready to work with you today.
To get started on your case, call us 24/7 or contact us online. The consultation is free and we do not charge a fee unless we win your case, so there are no upfront expenses. Benefit from our legal expertise without worrying about out-of-pocket costs.
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