Assisted Living Abuse & Neglect Attorney
Take a stand for your family's rights. Our attorneys can help.
Abuse and neglect in assisted living facilities in Atlanta and throughout Georgia happens far more often than you might suspect. Instead of getting extra assistance, some residents find themselves seriously injured or sick due to inattentive or abusive workers.
Identifying wrongdoing can be difficult. Often, it's very subtle. Services promised in a contract (weekly cleanings, laundry service, etc.) might not be provided. Residents may be overcharged for items. Other times, the abuse or neglect is obvious (medications not administered, physical abuse, etc.) and the consequences can be very serious.
If your loved one has been harmed, you may feel overwhelmed and not sure about what to do next. What are your rights? Who should you contact? Fortunately, you're not alone. Johnson Greer Law Group is focused on fighting for the rights of injury victims and their families – and we have the case results to prove it. Located in the Atlanta area, our firm serves families in communities throughout Georgia.
FAQs about assisted living abuse and neglect
- What makes assisted living neglect and abuse cases different?
- What is considered neglect or abuse in an assisted living facility?
- How does assisted living abuse and neglect happen?
- How can I tell if my loved one is being neglected or abused?
- What should I do if I suspect assisted living facility abuse or neglect?
- How do I report assisted living abuse or neglect?
- Can the facility retaliate if I report abuse or neglect?
- Can I sue the facility?
- How long do I have to sue?
- Should I contact the police?
- What compensation can my family receive?
- Why should I hire your firm to handle my case?
What makes assisted living neglect and abuse cases different?
Assisted living and residential care facilities are different from nursing homes. Unlike those who reside in nursing homes, many residents in assisted living facilities live on their own in private apartments, condominiums or sometimes even individual houses in the same housing development.
In many cases, the people who live in these facilities cook for themselves and live independently. They simply need some extra help with certain tasks, whether it's mowing their lawns, cleaning their rooms or doing their laundry.
That's why it can be so hard to know if the facility is doing something wrong. The warning signs can be subtle. You can learn more about them and different types of neglect and abuse on the following pages:
- Common Assisted Living Abuse & Neglect Cases
- Warning Signs of Assisted Living Abuse & Neglect
- Assisted Living Abuse & Neglect FAQ
- Liability In Assisted Living Negligence Cases
- How We Investigate Negligent Assisted Living Facilities
- Can An Assisted Living Abuse Attorney Help Me?
- Risk Factors For Assisted Living Abuse
- Top Safety Concerns In Assisted Living Facilities
Ultimately, if you suspect your loved one was abused or neglected, you need an assisted living neglect attorney to get to the bottom of what happened.
What is considered neglect or abuse in an assisted living facility?
Neglect and abuse in assisted living facilities can take many forms. Neglect means the facility or staff fail to provide proper care, such as not helping residents with meals, hygiene, medication, or medical attention. Abuse goes a step further and involves intentional harm, whether physical, emotional, sexual, or financial.
Some common examples include:
- Ignoring medical needs or medication schedules
- Failing to provide food, water, or assistance with daily activities
- Physical harm, such as hitting or rough handling
- Verbal or emotional abuse, like threats or humiliation
- Exploiting a resident financially
How does assisted living abuse and neglect happen?
Abuse and neglect often occur because facilities are understaffed, poorly managed, or fail to train employees properly. Sometimes staff members are overwhelmed and cut corners, while in other cases, they intentionally mistreat vulnerable residents. Sadly, residents with memory issues or disabilities are often the most at risk.
How can I tell if my loved one is being neglected or abused?
Spotting abuse or neglect can be difficult, but there are warning signs to look out for. Common indicators include:
- Unexplained injuries, bruises, or frequent falls
- Sudden weight loss, dehydration, or poor hygiene
- Withdrawal, depression, or unusual changes in behavior
- Bedsores or untreated medical issues
- Staff refusing to leave you alone with your loved one
If you notice these red flags, trust your instincts. A lawyer can help you investigate further and take action if neglect or abuse is confirmed.
What should I do if I suspect assisted living facility abuse or neglect?
If you suspect abuse or neglect, act right away. Start by documenting what you see. Take photos, write down dates and details, and keep medical records. Report your concerns to facility management, but don’t stop there. Contact the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), Adult Protective Services (APS), or a long-term care ombudsman. If your loved one is in immediate danger, call 911.
You should also reach out to an assisted living abuse and neglect attorney as soon as possible. A lawyer can protect your loved one’s rights, guide you through reporting the abuse or neglect, and help you pursue legal action if needed to hold the facility accountable.
How do I report assisted living abuse or neglect?
Reporting abuse or neglect typically involves multiple steps:
- Internal reporting: Notify the facility’s management in writing, detailing your concerns.
- State agencies: File a complaint with your state’s licensing or regulatory agency overseeing assisted living facilities. For Georgia, visit the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) website.
- Adult Protective Services (APS): APS investigates cases of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults.
- Ombudsman programs: Long-term care ombudsmen advocate for residents’ rights and can guide families through complaints. Visit the Georgia Long Term Care Ombudsman Program
- Law enforcement: Contact the police if you suspect criminal abuse or if you believe your loved one is in immediate danger.
A Georgia assisted living abuse and neglect lawyer can help ensure your report is taken seriously, protect your loved one from retaliation, and help coordinate with agencies while preserving evidence for potential legal action.
Can the facility retaliate if I report abuse or neglect?
Retaliation is illegal, but unfortunately, some facilities may still try to retaliate against residents or families who report abuse or neglect. Retaliation can take the form of ignoring complaints, providing lower quality care, isolating the resident, or pressuring family members to withdraw their concerns.
A lawyer can help protect your loved one from retaliation by:
- Ensuring your complaints are properly documented
- Communicating with the facility on your behalf
- Involving state agencies or ombudsmen when necessary
- Taking legal action if the facility’s actions put your loved one at risk or violate the law
You can learn about your legal options during a free and confidential case evaluation.
Can I sue the facility?
Yes. Families, the resident, or their legal representative, can file a lawsuit against an assisted living facility if neglect or abuse caused harm. A lawsuit can help:
- Hold the facility and responsible staff accountable
- Recover compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and emotional distress
- Address wrongful death if the abuse led to a loved one’s death
An experienced assisted living abuse and neglect lawyer can investigate the situation, gather evidence such as medical records, witness statements, and facility policies, and build a strong case to maximize your chances of a successful outcome.
How long do I have to sue?
The timeframe to file a lawsuit, known as the statute of limitations, varies by state and the type of claim. In most cases, families have two years from the date of the abuse or neglect, or from when the harm was discovered. Waiting too long can prevent you from filing a claim.
An Atlanta assisted living abuse and neglect attorney can determine the exact deadline in your state, explain any exceptions, and make sure your case is filed on time. Acting quickly can also help your attorney preserve evidence that strengthens your claim.
Should I contact the police?
Yes. You can contact law enforcement if you suspect physical, sexual, or financial abuse, or if your loved one is in immediate danger. Police can investigate, document the incident, and bring criminal charges if necessary. Even if a criminal case isn’t pursued, a police report can be strong evidence in the case of a lawsuit.
What compensation can my family receive?
Compensation in assisted living neglect or abuse cases can cover both financial and emotional losses. Depending on the circumstances, your family may be entitled to:
- Medical expenses for injuries or treatments caused by neglect
- Pain and suffering endured by your loved one
- Emotional distress experienced by family members
- Costs to move your loved one to a safer facility
- In severe cases, wrongful death damages if neglect caused a loved one’s death
A lawyer can discuss the types of compensation you can expect in your situation.
Why should I hire your firm to handle my case?
Experience matters. That's especially true when it comes to hiring an assisted living abuse lawyer to represent you or a loved one harmed or exploited by workers at an assisted living facility. These negligent companies often deny any wrongdoing. Without an experienced attorney on your side, you might not obtain the results you deserve.
Our attorneys know how the legal system works in Fulton County and throughout Georgia. We have personally represented countless families whose loved ones have suffered because of negligence. And we're eager to meet with you and learn more about your specific case.
Don't simply assume that local or state investigators will take care of everything. They're concerned with whether the facility broke the law. An assisted living neglect lawyer is focused solely on your legal needs. This includes making sure you're financially compensated for any expenses associated with your abuse or neglect case.
While the majority of cases settle through negotiations, we are prepared to file a lawsuit and take the facility to court if necessary. We're always ready to go to trial - and that gives us the upper hand in negotiations with facilities and their insurers.
We hold assisted living facilities accountable
Many people we represent spent their lives carefully saving for a comfortable retirement. Now, they're suddenly faced with a serious crisis that could derail their future plans. We understand and care about our clients. And we will take your case seriously.
You probably spent a lot of time choosing the right assisted living facility for yourself or a loved one. Now, you probably feel tricked or that you made a big mistake. Don't beat yourself up. You did what you thought was right at the time. Now, we can help you move forward and help make sure others don't have to go through what you went through.
You have rights if your assisted living facility took advantage of you or a loved one. An assisted living abuse attorney can protect those rights. Contact Johnson Greer Law Group and get the justice you deserve. Call (866) 904-6653. We offer a free case evaluation to all prospective clients. Best of all, you only pay us if you win. We work this way because we believe your needs should always come first.