Loganville Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Sometimes nursing home residents are abused and neglected by the people who are hired to care for them. Despite a family’s best efforts to place their loved one in a premiere nursing home, assisted living facility, or other long-term care facility, a resident may still suffer some form of abuse or neglect.

Unfortunately, because many of these facilities are chronically understaffed, mismanaged, and/or operate with a profit over people mindset, some of the most vulnerable people such as elderly or disabled persons, suffer.

Our attorneys represent victims of nursing home abuse and neglect, and their families in Loganville and across the Gwinnett County region. No one should suffer at the hands of a caregiver or nurse – or be neglected because of poor facility management, but because it does occur sometimes, our lawyers fight to hold all the responsible parties accountable.

How to Recognize Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect

Because elderly people are already more susceptible to other diseases or the natural effects of aging, it may be difficult to recognize when they’re being mistreated. Residents who are disabled or suffer from Alzheimer’s or dementia may not even be able to verbally communicate to their loved ones that they are being abused or neglected. There are however signs or red flags you can look for.

Nursing Home Abuse

Physical abuse may involve a caregiver, nurse, or other staff member of a facility committing overt violent acts against a resident or patient. Some examples of physical abuse include, but aren’t limited to:

Hitting
Slapping
Cutting
Burning
Pinching
Pulling hair
Shoving
Using unnecessary restraints

Emotional abuse can be harder to recognize, but its impact may be severe. Some examples of emotional abuse may include, but is not limited to:

Yelling
Bullying
Threatening
Manipulating
Insulting
Cussing
Fraud

Sexual Abuse occurs whenever there is nonconsensual sexual contact or harassment between a patient or resident at a facility and either an employee or other resident. Some examples of sexual abuse include, but is not limited to:

Unwanted touching
Sexual assault or battery
Forced nudity
Forced participation in viewing sexually graphic content such as photos, videos, or other forms of pornography
Rape

Abuse is distinct in that it causes intentional harm to a nursing home resident. A resident may be abused by a nurse, caregiver, staff member or other employee of a long-term care facility. Residents may also suffer abuse at the hands of another resident due to a lack of proper security measures or staff supervision.

Nursing Home Neglect

Neglect differs from abuse in that it is not always intentional. Many times, nursing home residents are neglected due to poor employee training, a lack of background checks when caregivers are hired, understaffed and overworked employees, or a lack of proper equipment. Georgia nursing homes are required to care for residents’ overall health and safety. When they fail to provide proper hygiene, diet, personal care, supervision, or therapy, it is neglect. Some examples of things that may lead to nursing home neglect include, but is not limited to:

Unbalanced staff to resident ratio
Overworked employees, which can lead to errors and stress
Lack of background checks
Poor training of staff
Lack of health and dietary planning and implementation for residents
Lack of supervision
Improper cleaning methods
Misplaced equipment, furniture, rugs
Poor lighting
Lack of proper equipment

The federal government has standards of care in place to ensure certified nursing homes and other long-term care facilities give residents the best possible care. Not only are caregivers and other nursing home staff responsible for the physical care of their residents, they are also responsible for residents’ mental, psychological, and social well-being.

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect

Because elderly or disabled nursing home residents may not be able to verbally communicate to others that they are being mistreated or abused, it’s important that loved ones pay close attention. Some signs that your loved one may be suffering from abuse or neglect may include, but are not limited to:

Unexplained bruises, scratches, or marks
Broken bones
Burns
Bed sores
Chronic infections
Chronic hospital visits
Weight loss, malnutrition, or dehydration
Unkempt hair or dirty clothing
Diagnosis of a sexually transmitted disease
Personality changes that may be linked to fear or medication errors
Missing finances, missing personal items, unexplained billing, excessive bills from unknown loan companies, an unexpected change in power of attorney

The Larrison Law Firm believes your loved one deserves respect and should be well taken care of. If you suspect your loved one has suffered abuse or neglect at a nursing home or other long-term care facility in Loganville, GA or in the Gwinnett County region, contact us today. We hold nursing homes and caregivers responsible for neglect and abuse. Call us at 770-554-8100, send us a message at info@larrisonlawfirm.com or fill out our free consultation form and tell us more about your case.

Never Settling Until You Are Ready

At our law firm, we are focused on doing what is right for you. We will never push you into a resolution that you are not comfortable with or recommend that you settle your case before you are ready. We want what is best for you and will do everything in our power to achieve it.

At Our Firm, Your First Consultation Is Free

We would like to speak with you about your injuries. Schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys by calling 770-554-8100. You may also get in touch with us online.