Nursing homes should provide safety and comfort for elderly or disabled individuals in Stonecrest. While many nursing home staff care about what they do, abuse can (and does) happen in some places. If you suspect a loved one suffered abuse, you have legal rights. Contact a Stonecrest personal injury lawyer today for a free consultation.
At John Foy & Associates, every case is personal, especially when it involves abuse. Our team has been helping injury victims for over 25 years, and we are here for your family. We make the process as simple as possible for you.
Our lawyers do not take a fee unless we win you compensation. Plus, we start with a FREE case review.
Proving Abuse in a Nursing Home
Nursing homes and their employees must maintain a high standard of care. If the company or a worker was negligent, they could be responsible for the costs. Negligence is an absence of care, as stated under the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §51-1-2.
You might have a claim against the nursing home for negligence. However, you’ll need to prove that the company was careless and caused harm.
Here are some reasons you might have a nursing home abuse case:
Negligence By Staff
Nursing home staff might have low wages or lack of help. Understaffing is dangerous and can lead to many problems, including abuse. Stress and lack of support can cause everyone at the location to suffer.
A nursing home could be responsible if low staff numbers lead to neglect or abuse.
Violation of Rights
According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), each nursing home resident has a right to basic dignity and respect. There are no exceptions—and abuse is never acceptable.
If nursing home employees violate a resident’s rights, the nursing home could be liable.
Poor Hiring or Training
Nursing home staff must have proper training and qualifications. Each employee must have no history of assault or abuse. However, a negligent nursing home might hire workers without checking their backgrounds. This can lead to abuse and other harm to residents.
Some nursing home workers do not get enough training to work with residents. Many residents need extra care and attention. If an employee is poorly-trained, they might neglect residents.
Incorrect Medication Dosing
Many people in nursing homes have regular medication schedules. However, issues can happen if:
- A staff member provides the wrong medication dosage
- There are errors with prescriptions
- A pharmacy provides the wrong medication
The nursing home, doctor, or pharmacy might be responsible for medication issues.
Third-Party Harm
Nursing homes have a duty of care to those on their property. That includes making sure abuse doesn’t happen at any point.
Sometimes, nursing home abuse might come from a careless third-party. For example, another resident or guest might abuse a resident in some way. If so, the nursing home might be liable for allowing the abusive person on the property.
You might have a premises liability claim against the nursing home for what occurred.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse
After suspected abuse, contact a Stonecrest nursing home abuse lawyer. A lawyer can investigate what happened and gather evidence. To discuss the details during a free consultation, call John Foy & Associates at (404) 400-4000.
We can investigate different types of nursing home abuse like:
- Physical abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Neglect
- Financial abuse
- Sexual abuse
Unfortunately, there are many ways a resident may experience abuse in their home. If abuse occurs, there is no excuse for it. Your family probably has a legal case after the harm has been done.
Some abuse might not be evident at first. For example, a resident might struggle to explain what they experience. They might be afraid to complain at all. Family members might not realize there is an issue until it’s been going on for a while.
Common Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
It’s important to know some common signs of possible abuse. Staff members might brush off complaints from elderly patients, even when the concerns are real. Family can help by being able to recognize signs that something is off.
Typical signs of nursing home abuse include:
- Malnutrition or dehydration
- Bedsores
- Infections without explanation
- Becoming withdrawn
- Bleeding or bruising
- Sudden changes in finances
- Unpaid bills
- Being fearful or quiet around staff
- Changes in the resident’s will or power of attorney
- Bruising around genitals
Nursing home residents might not come forward about abuse. Many are ashamed, confused, or overwhelmed. They might not have the mental capacity to understand the situation. This is where loved ones should intervene.
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How a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Can Help
Dealing with nursing home abuse is hard for any family. But you do not have to handle it alone. Experienced lawyers can help you and your family build a strong case.
Our team will work with you by:
- Investigating the cause of potential abuse
- Looking over medical records
- Interviewing staff members and potential witnesses
- Working with medical professionals and other experts
- Documenting signs of abuse
- Reviewing the nursing home’s staffing and training processes
- Calculating the costs of the resident’s injuries and damages, including emotional injuries
Nursing home abuse is never acceptable. If your family might have been affected by abuse, don’t wait to get help. Time is limited to bring a legal case, and our lawyers can help.
Talk to a Stonecrest Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Today
Call John Foy & Associates today for a FREE consultation. There are no upfront costs, and you don’t pay us unless we win your case. You can get legal help today without worrying about financial costs.
As the “Strong Arm,” we’re not afraid to fight for your rights. We stand up to negligent nursing homes and their insurance companies. If we need to take your case to court, we’re prepared to do what’s necessary for your recovery.
To learn more, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take your call.
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