Nursing home abuse
Choosing a nursing home or assisted living facility for a family member is one of the hardest decisions a family makes. When the caregivers entrusted with that care are negligent or abusive, the firm represents residents and families in holding them to account.
Elder abuse and neglect
Nursing home cases divide into two kinds of negligence, and which one governs changes how the case is built. A claim about clinical care by a licensed provider is professional negligence, and Georgia requires an expert affidavit to support it. A claim about how the facility itself was run, understaffing, inadequate supervision, poor hiring or training, is ordinary negligence. Many cases involve both. Federal health and safety statutes exist specifically to protect residents who cannot always advocate for themselves, and the problem is not rare: a congressional report found that one nursing home in three was cited for an abuse violation over a two-year period.
The firm has handled nursing home and assisted-living negligence and abuse cases involving physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and financial exploitation.
Initial consultation is free. Personal injury matters are handled on a contingency basis: you owe no attorney fee unless we recover for you.
Types of nursing home abuse
Nursing home abuse takes both active and passive forms. Active abuse includes hitting, restraining, and sexual abuse. Passive abuse (sometimes harder to spot) includes withholding adequate food, water, medical care, or physical activity. Isolation and verbal mistreatment are forms of emotional abuse.
Warning signs
- Bed sores and ulcers
- Rapid or unexplained weight loss
- Broken bones or unexplained falls
- Open wounds, cuts, bruises, or welts
- Injuries from improper restraint, or the absence of needed restraint
- An unexplained or unexpected death
If you suspect abuse: Contact an attorney and, if there’s any risk to the resident’s safety, the facility’s licensing authority. Early documentation makes a real difference to a later claim.
Representative results
A settlement on behalf of a resident who was harmed by neglect at an assisted-living facility.
A settlement for the family of an assisted-living resident who died as a result of neglect in the facility’s care.
A settlement for the family of a skilled-nursing-facility resident who died after substandard care.