Johns Creek Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
When your parents or other loved ones can no longer care for themselves, you may have to face the decision of placing them in a nursing home or long-term care facility. You expect the nursing facility to keep them safe and provide the necessary care, treatment, meals, and activities in a safe environment. However, assisted living facilities and their employees might not always provide adequate care and could even engage in negligent or neglectful behavior resulting in injury. In this instance, a skilled personal injury attorney is the best course of action.
Federal and state regulations have been put in place to help protect elderly individuals residing in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. A Johns Creek nursing home abuse lawyer could fight by your side to hold the nursing staff responsible for their neglectful behavior.
Common Signs of Neglect
Often, individuals may suspect that their parents or loved ones are suffering negligent care at their nursing home. However, it may be challenging to prove neglectful behavior or to bring up any suspicion to nursing home employees. When a loved one is residing at a long-term care facility, it is important to understand some of the common signs of nursing home neglect, including:
- Bedsores;
- Bruising on limbs;
- Malnutrition or dehydration;
- Changes in behavior;
- Fear of the staff or other individuals;
- Uncleanly rooms or facilities;
- Unexplained fractures, cuts, or other injuries; and
- Missing medications.
It is critical to seek assistance whenever someone suspects any type of nursing home neglect or negligence. Minor injuries or illnesses can quickly become significant if they go unaddressed. A Johns Creek nursing home neglect attorney could help investigate an individual’s suspicions and determine whether a loved one suffered from this conduct.
How to Hold Negligent Nursing Homes Accountable?
A person has the option to report or hold liable a potentially negligent long-term care facility. Filing a complaint against a nursing home to the state Adult Protective Services Agency could help resolve an issue before it causes significant injury to a loved one. Reporting a nursing home might resolve an issue but a person is not required to file a complaint with a state agency before they are permitted to file a private lawsuit against a nursing home.
Claims against nursing homes for malpractice or neglect typically require the filing party to submit an affidavit of merit. This is a verification from an expert stating that the nursing home or its health care professionals were negligent or neglectful, resulting in injury to the resident, according to Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 9-11-9.1. Nursing home records relating to previous injuries, complaints against staff members, and interviews with former staff or residents may also be necessary for a successful claim.
Nursing home abuse lawsuits can be complex and difficult to litigate, primarily when a nursing home is owned or operated by a large company represented by a challenging insurance company. A nursing home abuse lawyer in Johns Creek understands the challenges involved with this type of claim and how to negotiate with the large insurance companies that will fight to limit any potential compensation.
Contact a Johns Creek Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Today
When a loved one suffers abuse or neglect because a long-term care facility failed to comply with the applicable laws and standards of care, you may be entitled to compensation. Even if you are just suspicious that there may be neglect or mistreatment of your loved one, you should call an experienced attorney. A Johns Creek nursing home abuse lawyer could investigate a claim to determine whether someone suffered an injury due to mistreatment. Call for an evaluation to get started on your potential case.
