Marietta Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in Marietta, GA

Families trust nursing homes to provide safe, attentive care for elderly loved ones. A Marietta nursing home abuse lawyer from Hall & Lampros, LLP, can represent you and your family when that trust has been broken. Abuse and neglect in long-term care facilities can cause serious physical injury, emotional trauma, and preventable medical complications such as infections or untreated conditions.

If you suspect mistreatment, knowing your legal rights under Georgia law is an important first step in protecting your family member’s safety and well-being. Taking prompt action can help prevent further harm and preserve critical evidence.

Hire a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

The skilled lawyers at Hall & Lampros, LLP have over 60 years of combined experience advocating for Georgia residents. Cases of nursing home abuse typically require extensive discovery to understand facility protocols, staffing patterns, prior inspection reports, and medical records.

Our firm advocates on behalf of families in Marietta and across the state who have suffered serious and preventable injuries due to neglect or mistreatment. We take the time to prepare these claims and can file a legal action to seek accountability when facilities fail to comply with their legal responsibilities.

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Forms of nursing home abuse can range from physical abuse and emotional mistreatment to financial exploitation or medical neglect. Key warning signs to watch for include unexplained bruises or injuries, sudden weight loss or dehydration, untreated bedsores, medication errors, or sudden changes in behavior such as withdrawal or fearfulness. 

Georgia nursing homes are federally required to undergo inspections and report deficiencies, and facilities that do not meet a certain standard of care are cited. Families should be concerned if their loved ones experience repeated falls, infections, or other injuries that are easily preventable. Reviewing medical records, staffing patterns, and facility inspection reports often becomes key in ascertaining whether negligence played a role.

Georgia Laws That Protect Nursing Home Residents

Georgia has specific statutes, O.C.G.A. §§ 31-8-100 through 31-8-127, the Georgia Bill of Rights for Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities, that give residents of such facilities the right to dignity, privacy, adequate medical care, and freedom from abuse and neglect. If these rights are violated by a long-term care facility, a civil claim may be brought for resulting injuries.

In addition, Georgia law allows for recovery of damages when negligence causes injury, including recovery for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses. These cases typically involve an investigation into staffing levels and training, as well as internal incident reports and prior government regulation violations.

What to Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse

If you believe that nursing home abuse has occurred in Marietta, taking immediate action may prevent further abuse of your loved one. Make sure the resident is safe and receives medical attention for any injuries. Take pictures of any visible injuries, behavioral changes, and any unsanitary or unsafe living conditions. You can also file a complaint with the Georgia Department of Community Health, which oversees all long-term care facilities in Georgia. 

You have the right to receive copies of your loved one’s medical records and plan of care. Reviewing these documents can help you determine if the care provided was adequate. Quick reporting of the abuse and thorough documentation can help keep evidence intact. You may also be able to determine whether the conduct violated Georgia law.

FAQs

How Common Is Nursing Home Abuse Nationwide?

Older adult abuse continues to occur both in the community and care settings. The World Health Organization estimates that 1 in 6 people age 60 and older experienced abuse in some form in community settings within the last year. Abuse occurs at similar rates in long-term care facilities, with the WHO estimating that 2 in 3 staff members of nursing homes reported committing abuse in the last year. 

How Are Nursing Homes Regulated in Georgia?

Nursing homes are regulated by the Georgia Department of Community Health, as well as federally by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. There are over 350 licensed nursing homes in Georgia, according to the Georgia Department of Community Health. Nursing homes are required to meet minimum state and federal standards for staffing, resident safety, and quality of care. Facilities that fall short of standards may be cited and fined.

What Types of Compensation Are Available in a Georgia Nursing Home Abuse Case?

Damages in a Georgia nursing home abuse claim may cover medical expenses, pain and suffering, and costs related to hiring supplemental caregivers or moving the victim to another, safer living arrangement. Punitive damages may also be available in cases of gross negligence or intentional wrongdoing. Georgia. Whether punitive damages are available depends on the specific facts of the case and the degree of misconduct involved.

How Long Do You Have to File a Nursing Home Abuse Claim in Georgia?

In Georgia, most personal injury claims fall under a two-year statute of limitations period per O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. This includes claims of nursing home abuse. The two-year window generally starts from the date when the injury took place. Unfortunately, waiting too long to file a claim could prevent you from getting any compensation. For this reason, as well as others that may alter the timing, it’s important to hire a nursing home abuse lawyer as soon as possible.

Contact a Marietta Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Discovering nursing home abuse can make you feel confused and helpless, particularly if your loved one relies on others for daily care and safety. If you suspect that your loved one is being neglected or mistreated, it’s critical to act quickly to prevent any further damage to your loved one’s health and well-being. At Hall & Lampros, LLP, our Marietta lawyers help families with serious injury and negligence cases involving adult victims. We understand how stressful this time can be for you and your family. We provide complimentary case reviews and have Spanish speakers ready to assist those who need them. Schedule a consultation today to learn your rights and options.