Nursing Home Negligence And Abuse
When you decide to put your loved one in a nursing home, you expect that they will receive proper attention and care. Unfortunately, this does not always happen. Not only are elders often neglected in nursing homes, but they also may be abused.
If you suspect that your loved one has been harmed in these circumstances, it is important to reach out to a seasoned Atlanta nursing home negligence attorney who can explore the facts of your case. Injury lawyer T. Andrew Miller understands that this is a sensitive issue, and you can expect compassion and discretion from our entire team.
Fighting Back Against Nursing Home Negligence Or Abuse
Nursing home negligence is a growing problem in the United States. A University of California, San Francisco study investigating deficiencies in nursing homes found that 41 percent of all Georgia nursing homes have deficiencies in their quality of care, while 36 percent of all Georgia nursing homes have an “accident-prone” environment.
If your loved one is currently in a nursing home, you should remain vigilant about the following signs of neglect or abuse:
- Physical injuries
- Bruising and cuts
- Broken or fractured limbs
- Bedsores
- Complaints of verbal abuse
- Sudden changes in health or medication
- Sudden changes in behavior
- Constant anxiety or fear
- Depression
- Sudden weight loss
There may be other signs that worry you as well. Many times, a nursing home patient will complain about abuse outright. If this is the case, it is important to pay attention to the details of the complaint and discuss the situation with a nursing home negligence lawyer in the Atlanta area who can help you determine your legal options.
Your Legal Options
A nursing home resident who has been harmed due to neglect or abuse may be able to sue the nursing home facility for negligence. This occurs when a nursing home resident is injured because the nursing home failed to adhere to the level of care that a competent nursing home facility would use in similar circumstances. To establish negligence, the plaintiff must be able to demonstrate that the nursing home owed the plaintiff a duty of care, the nursing home breached the duty of care owed to the plaintiff, and the plaintiff suffered injuries as a direct result of the nursing home’s breach.
It is important to note that there may be other claims at issue in your case. For example, if your harm was caused by a nurse giving you the wrong medication, you may have a medical malpractice claim. If your loved one tragically died due to nursing home neglect or abuse, you may have a wrongful death claim.
If liability is established, a victim of nursing home neglect or abuse may be able to seek a variety of damages, such as medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, counseling expenses, pain and suffering, and any other losses related to their injuries.
Contact Our Firm Today
If your loved one was harmed in any way while in the care of a nursing home, we can help. T. Andrew Miller is a knowledgeable Atlanta nursing home negligence lawyer who is committed to protecting victims’ rights at every step of the way. We are here to answer your questions and address your concerns. We also represent people in Stone Mountain, Marietta, Lawrenceville, Norcross and other communities in Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb and Gwinnett counties. To discuss your case in more detail, call us at 678-894-7868 or contact us online to set up a free appointment with a personal injury or wrongful death attorney.