When a loved one must go into a nursing home, the person’s family wants to find the best facility possible. But even excellent nursing homes can have one or two people on staff who are not treating residents with proper care, dignity and respect. Below are answers to some common questions about nursing home abuse and neglect.
If your loved one has been harmed or abused while at a nursing facility, he or she may be entitled to compensation. The Savannah nursing home abuse attorneys at Roden Law have years of experience helping clients obtain millions of dollars in compensation for their injuries. We can put our experience toward helping you get the compensation and justice you deserve.
We work on contingency, so we only make money if we are able to help you get compensation for your injuries. And we offer a free, no-obligation consultation, so there is absolutely no risk to you to talk to us. Contact us today to see how we can help you.
Call 1-844-RESULTS to schedule a free consultation with an attorney at Roden Law.
What Is Nursing Home Abuse?
The Georgia Department of Human Services Division of Aging Services states that nursing home abuse occurs when someone intentionally causes harm or puts someone at risk of harm.
The Georgia Nursing Home Bill of Rights highlights the many rights residents have that require they be treated with respect and receive medical care they need in a comfortable environment. Anything short of this standard could be considered abuse or neglect.
Common types of nursing home abuse include:
- Physical abuse – This can include physical harm, such as hitting or other actions that cause physical discomfort, pain or injury.
- Emotional abuse – This can include verbal abuse such as yelling, swearing or making condescending remarks. It can also include harassment, isolation, threats, insults and intimidation that reduce a person’s sense of self-worth or dignity.
- Sexual abuse – This includes any type of sexual behavior directed toward an elderly adult without his or her consent or knowledge.
- Financial abuse – This occurs when an elderly individual’s finances are used improperly or illegally. It can include stealing from the resident, using Power of Attorney to gain access to a resident’s accounts for personal benefit, and using false representation to gain access to funds.
- Neglect – This occurs when a resident’s basic needs are not met, such as food, water, shelter, medical care and personal hygiene.
If your loved one has experienced abuse of any kind, contact the caring team at Roden Law. We may be able to help you recover the compensation owed to you, and you pay us nothing unless we can help you obtain compensation for the harm caused to you.
Fill out our Free Case Evaluation form today so we can get started on your claim.
What Is Nursing Home Neglect?
The Division of Aging Services states that neglect occurs when someone intentionally or unknowingly withholds the basic necessities of care from another individual to a degree that it causes harm, or threatens to cause harm, to the individual. This can include failing to provide:
- Medical care (medications, etc.)
- Food, water and a clean environment
- Proper hygiene, such as brushing teeth, bathing, and providing clean clothes and bedding
One major sign of nursing home neglect is bedsores. These injuries can occur if the staff is not physically shifting the patient’s position often enough during the day. A bedsore can develop when pressure builds up in a spot where the resident tends to lean, and that pressure can eventually lead to a bedsore.
It is a nursing home’s duty to make sure each resident is moved physically, within his or her bed and wheelchair, in order to avoid bedsores. Usually, pillows are placed in various areas around the person’s body to place the resident in different positions in order to relieve pressure points. The resident must always remain comfortable while this is done.
Another sign of neglect can be if a person has fallen. Nursing home staff are trained to ensure that the residents are never put into a position where they might fall, so a fall usually indicates that the resident was left unattended.
It can be difficult to detect neglect, but if you believe your loved one may have been neglected at his or her nursing facility, contact a lawyer at Roden Law to investigate your case. We can evaluate your situation and discuss your legal options with you.
What Should I Do if I Suspect Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect?
If your loved one is in immediate danger or has suffered serious injuries, call 9-1-1 or the local police department.
If you suspect abuse or neglect, you should alert the management of the facility to the situation. If it is not resolved, contact the legal team at Roden Law. We will investigate the situation and work to make sure your loved one’s rights are protected.
If you have not done so already, we can help you report the incident to the proper authorities, which can include:
- Calling the Georgia Department of Community Health, Healthcare Facility Regulation (HFR) to file a complaint
- Contacting a long-term care ombudsman
Your loved one’s health and safety are our priority, and we will help to make sure the abuse is reported to the proper authorities so that the situation does not happen again and the resident is removed from the situation, if necessary. This can also help make sure those who caused harm to your loved one are held accountable under the law.
Why Do I Need a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer?
If you believe your loved one has been abused or neglected, it is in your best interest to hire a reputable nursing home abuse attorney. Our legal team will evaluate your claim and investigate any suspected abuse or neglect. If we determine that you have a valid claim, we will discuss your legal options with you.
We will advocate for your loved one’s rights and help make sure those who caused him or her harm are held accountable for the injuries they have caused. We will build your case and take care of all the details for you. This could include:
- Analyzing the details of the complaint
- Having financial experts calculate the value of your loved one’s losses
- Researching the parties involved
- Hiring medical professionals to evaluate your loved one’s injuries and suffering
At Roden Law, we charge no upfront fees. You will pay us only if we are able to obtain compensation for you. If not, you pay us nothing. Give us a call today to see what we can do for you.
Schedule a free consultation today by calling 1-844-RESULTS.
What Compensation Can Be Recovered from a Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit?
Every nursing home abuse case is different, and it is impossible to determine the value of your case without reviewing the details. However, there are some common forms of compensation that are often available from a nursing home abuse lawsuit, including:
- Medical costs
- Physicians’ bills
- Ambulance fees
- Physical therapy
- Missing or damaged property
- Pain and suffering
Punitive damages may also be available in very rare cases of extreme abuse or neglect. Unlike traditional compensation that is meant to help restore your loved one to a position he or she was in before the abuse or neglect, punitive damages punish the at-fault party.
Roden Law has successfully defended our clients’ rights to justice for years, and we can apply that success to your case. Contact our knowledgeable attorneys today.
Fill out our Free Case Evaluation form so we can review your claim.
Contact a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Today
Your loved one’s care should always be a nursing home’s top priority. When a nursing facility fails to uphold its duty of care to its residents, legal action may be necessary.
The attorneys at Roden Law are skilled at evaluating situations just like yours. We will conduct a full investigation into your loved one’s case and will review the ways his or her treatment fell short of proper care. We will then work to help you obtain the compensation your loved one deserves.
There is no risk to you to contact an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer at Roden Law. We offer a no-obligation consultation, and you owe us nothing unless we are able to obtain compensation for you.