Common Assisted Living Abuse & Neglect Cases
Get the help you need now from a lawyer you can trust
Assisted living facility abuse and neglect can range from physical and psychological abuse or neglect to financial exploitation. Regardless of how the abuse or neglect happens, you deserve justice if you or a loved one has been harmed.
You need to take a stand. You might feel overwhelmed. But you can rely on the attorneys at Johnson Greer Law Group. We know how to listen, and then take action. We will negotiate on behalf of a client to make sure the facility is held accountable. If the company that owns the facility or its insurance company is unwilling to reach a fair settlement, we will take the case to trial - and with our litigation experience, we know how to win in Georgia courts.
Don't underestimate the complexity of your case. Even if it seems straightforward, you could encounter obstacles to obtaining the compensation your family deserves. That's why it's critical that you contact our law firm as soon as possible. That way, we can work with you and come up with a strategy to address your specific needs.
What type of case are you dealing with?
Click through the following links to learn more about the common cases that involve assisted living facilities:
- Physical abuse
- Psychological abuse
- Unsanitary conditions
- Bedsores
- Injuries from Falls
- Other health problems
- Breach of contract
- Financial exploitation
- Emotional abuse
- Verbal abuse
- Abandonment
If you're dealing with a different type a case, don't hesitate to contact us. One of our attorneys can analyze the issues facing you and your family, then explain all the legal options available to you. That's because we're familiar with the warning signs of assisted living abuse and neglect. Call (866) 904-6653 and schedule your free case evaluation. We are based in Decatur and serve all of Georgia.
What to do if you suspect nursing home abuse and neglect in Georgia
Do you suspect a loved one is being abused in a Georgia nursing home? Take immediate action to protect them and preserve their rights. The following steps are general and may not be the best course of action in all situations. Contact us for a free case evaluation for information specific to your circumstances.
- Ensure immediate safety. If a loved one is in immediate danger, take steps to ensure their safety, which may involve moving them to a different room or facility if necessary.
- Document evidence. Keep detailed records of any signs or evidence of abuse, including photographs of physical injuries, detailed notes of incidents, and any relevant medical reports. in addition, document conversations with staff or residents that may relate to the abuse.
- Report the abuse. Report your suspicions to nursing home administrators to ensure they are aware of the situation. Follow their reporting protocols, but also keep a record of whom you spoke with and when.
- Seek medical evaluation. Have a healthcare professional not affiliated with the nursing home conduct a thorough medical evaluation of your loved one to document any injuries or signs of neglect.
- Gather witness information. If possible, talk to other residents, visitors, or staff who might have witnessed abuse or neglect. Their testimonies could be vital to your legal case.
- Consult with a Georgia nursing home abuse lawyer. Contact an experienced lawyer focused on elder abuse and nursing home cases. At Johnson Greer Law Group, we can provide legal advice, help you navigate the reporting process, and can discuss options for pursuing a legal claim against those responsible for the abuse.
- Avoid confrontations. While it might be tempting to confront those you suspect of abuse directly, it is better to let us handle these interactions to avoid potential retaliation or compromising a future lawsuit.
- Stay involved. Remain actively involved in your loved one’s care, maintain regular communication with them and the facility, and visit as often as you can to monitor their well-being and the care they receive.
Remember, taking prompt action is not just about stopping the abuse; it's also about preventing it from happening to others. Our Georgia nursing home abuse lawyers will guide you through the legal process to seek justice and compensation for your loved one.
"How can an attorney help me?"
You only have a limited amount of time to take legal action after you discover evidence of abuse or neglect involving assisted living facilities. In most cases, Georgia's statute of limitations is 2 years from the time of discovery to file a lawsuit.
While you might think you have plenty of time, be aware that building a strong legal case requires an early start. If you don't act fast, the evidence you need to support your claim might not be there when you do take action. Don't miss out on your opportunity for justice. Contact Johnson Greer Law Group right now.
People living in assisted living facilities sometimes sustain serious injuries due to abusive employees or other residents. Common injuries include:
- Bruises
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Burn injuries
In some cases, workers intentionally hit, slap, punch or kick residents. Sometimes the abuse comes from another resident or visitor. Regardless of who the abuser is, the facility has a duty to keep everyone safe.
If someone is injured in any manner, the facility should notify families as soon as possible. If management is aware of abuse and fails to take action, the company may be held liable for the injuries. That's why you need our law firm. We can help you hold the facility accountable. We understand how to solve complex problems.
Cruel assisted living workers don't need to hit someone to cause harm. They can do so through fear, intimidation and many other traumatic forms of psychological abuse. Sometimes, employees yell at residents. Other times, they ridicule or mock them in private or in front of other residents.
Such events can be traumatic and leave deep, emotional scars. That's why we want to help. Harmful, insensitive behavior cannot be tolerated. When we represent you, we will do everything we can to hold the assisted living facility accountable.
Assisted living facilities, which might be owned by large corporations, may turn a blind eye to psychological abuse. If they are aware, they may downplay the seriousness of an employee's actions. We'll help you fight for justice by bringing the abuse to light - and work to make sure it never happens again.
Assisted living facilities have a responsibility to make sure you or your loved one live in a clean, sanitary environment. Unfortunately, some facilities don't take such concerns seriously. As a result, residents living in unsanitary conditions may get sick from any of the following conditions, among others:
- Unsanitary kitchens used to prepare food, resulting in diarrhea and other food-borne illnesses caused by harmful bacteria.
- Unwashed bedding, resulting in skin rashes and other potentially-harmful medical conditions due to mold, dust mites and other microscopic bugs.
- Unwashed clothing, especially if residents wear the same clothes for several days in row without washing them.
- Animal infestations, including rats, bedbugs, termites and other animals that can be the source of serious health problems.
If you observe any of these situations or suspect the facility is not hygienic, contact our law firm right away. We can help you every step of the way.
Residents in assisted living facilities may develop bedsores, also known as pressure ulcers, if they remain in the same position for long periods of time. Sitting in a chair or lying in bed for too long can lead to decreased blood flow to the skin. The resulting damage can cause a hole in the skin to develop, putting the resident at a higher risk of infection.
It’s true that residents in assisted living facilities are more independent than those in nursing homes. But the facility still has a responsibility to determine the type of care each resident needs and to provide quality care.
If you or a loved one has developed a bedsore, contact our firm. We will make sure proper medical care is arranged. Then we will take steps to hold the assisted living facility accountable.
Seniors are at a greater risk of falling for a few different reasons. They may be in declining physical health, or experience side effects from medication. When falls do happen, they can result in serious injury, such as broken bones. Assisted living facilities have a responsibility to prevent falls when possible.
The facility has a responsibility to keep walkways around the property clear, well-lit and free of obstructions. In some cases, the facility may also be responsible for falls that occur in a unit. For example, a fall may happen because the facility did not arrange for required health care, or failed to provide cleaning assistance as agreed in the contract.
If you or a loved one was injured from a fall at an assisted living facility, call us today.
When older adults are abused or neglected, they can develop serious and potentially fatal health conditions. This is especially true if they live in an assisted living facility and the workers there fail to carefully monitor your loved one's health.
If the facility is not giving your loved one enough food or the proper medical care or attention, they could develop:
- Bed sores
- Pneumonia
- Malnutrition
- Dehydration
- Depression
- Arthritis
- Ulcers
Failure to monitor could allow a bedsore to get worse, or side effects from medication to go unnoticed. Whatever the health issue, we want to work with you and help you or your family obtain compensation for your losses and find closure. That includes getting the proper medical care to address such health problems and holding the assisted living center accountable.
When you sign a contract with any business, you expect it to honor the terms of the legally-binding agreement. Your contract with the assisted living facility is no different. When the business fails to do the tasks it promised to do, that's considered a breach of contract. Examples include:
- Not cleaning living areas
- Not providing food or snacks
- Serving unhealthy food
- Not monitoring a resident's health
- Not providing transportation
- Overcharging
If you suspect something, say something. Contact our law firm. We can help you build a solid legal case and make sure your rights are respected.
Elderly adults are often targets of fraudulent financial schemes. Sadly, this includes residents of assisted living facilities. There are many different ways that dishonest businesses can obtain money from residents or their families. Here are a few examples of assisted living facility financial exploitation:
- Double billing for services
- Charging for services not provided
- Overcharging residents for services
- Performing unnecessary services
- Illegally withdrawing money from a resident's bank account
All of these activities are illegal. And all of them demand strong legal action. If you or a family member is a victim of financial exploitation at the hands of an assisted living facility, contact our law firm. Restoring dignity to people's lives drives everything we do. We're here for you when you need us most. Call now.
Residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities can suffer from emotional abuse, which is often less visible but equally damaging as physical abuse. This form of abuse can include actions like isolation, ridicule, humiliation, and intimidation, which can severely impact a resident's mental health. Over time, victims of emotional abuse may exhibit signs of anxiety, depression, or withdrawal, potentially leading to a decline in physical health due to a lack of appetite, self-neglect, or the unwillingness to engage in physical activities.
Furthermore, emotional abuse can erode a resident's will to live, increasing the risk of death through a phenomenon known as "failure to thrive," which involves a combination of weight loss, decreased appetite, poor nutrition, and inactivity, often coupled with dehydration. These symptoms can quickly escalate, especially in elderly individuals who may already be vulnerable due to preexisting health conditions.
If you notice changes in the behavior or mood of a loved one in a care facility that could indicate emotional abuse, do not hesitate to contact our law firm. We understand the nuances of these cases and are prepared to offer the support and legal guidance needed to address your loved one’s unique situation.
In the confined settings of nursing homes and assisted living facilities, verbal abuse can be a destructive form of mistreatment, where staff or other residents may use words to cause harm. This can include yelling, threats, harsh criticism, or derogatory comments about a resident's appearance, intelligence, or worth. The impact of verbal abuse can be profound, leading to psychological distress, loss of self-esteem, and an increased sense of vulnerability among the elderly.
Continuous exposure to verbal abuse can result in long-term psychological effects, including the development or exacerbation of mental health disorders such as depression or anxiety. In severe cases, the distress from verbal abuse can contribute to physical decline, as residents may lose the motivation to eat, exercise, or engage in social activities, ultimately leading to deteriorating health and even death.
If you suspect that a loved one is experiencing verbal abuse in a caregiving environment, it is critical to take immediate action. Our Georgia law firm is equipped to provide the necessary legal advice and support to protect your loved one and pursue justice on their behalf.
Abandonment in nursing homes and assisted living facilities occurs when a resident is left without necessary care, supervision, or social contact, often leading to a sense of isolation, vulnerability, and neglect. This neglect can severely impact the physical and emotional well-being of an elderly individual, making them susceptible to health complications, including malnutrition, dehydration, and untreated medical conditions, which can collectively lead to a significant decline in health or even death.
The emotional toll of abandonment should not be underestimated, as it can lead to feelings of worthlessness, depression, and anxiety, further exacerbating a resident's physical or emotional decline. The lack of social stimulation and interaction can also accelerate cognitive decline in residents with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, significantly affecting their quality of life.
If you believe a loved one is suffering from abandonment in a care facility, it is imperative to act swiftly. Our Georgia law firm is ready to get right to work on your important legal case. We can assess the situation, demand that immediate care needs are met, and pursue legal action against those responsible for your loved one’s neglect.