Do You Suspect Your Assisted Living Facility of Abuse or Neglect?
Know the warning signs and take action to protect your rights
Many families and friends of people in assisted living facilities might not realize abuse or neglect is taking place. They may trust the facility and the people who work there. Unfortunately, institutions that should help older residents lead easier lives sometimes do more harm than good.
It can be hard to identify when something bad is happening to a loved one. But if you can identify harmful behavior right away, you might be able to put a stop to it quickly. In addition, the victim - whether it's you or a loved one - can get the medical attention you need before your injury or illness gets worse.
With years of experience representing victims and their families in metro Atlanta and throughout Georgia, the attorneys at Johnson Greer Law Group know how to identity warning signs of abuse and neglect. If you suspect abuse or neglect, talk to us right away. We'll answer your questions and help you know if you have a case. When you have our law firm on your side, you can hold assisted living facilities accountable. You can demand justice.
What are the warning signs of assisted living abuse and neglect?
Every abuse or neglect case is different. However, there are many common threads between the majority of assisted living abuse and neglect cases. That's why it's critical that you know how to identify evidence of such harmful behavior. These include:
- Unexplained injuries
- Visitation rights restricted or revoked
- Sudden weight loss
- Dramatic mood changes
- Financial problems
Don't wait to take action if you notice any of these issues. What might seem like a minor problem could be an indication of serious pattern of abuse or neglect. Other people might also be affected. Your actions could make a dramatic difference in the lives of many people living there.
"Why should I hire a lawyer if I suspect something's wrong?"
Assisted living facilities rarely admit wrongdoing. They might even try to claim that you or someone else did something to cause your injury. That's why you need an experienced attorney on your side who knows how to find the facts you need to build a strong legal case.
Our attorneys understand how to navigate the legal system in Georgia to find solutions for clients facing complex problems. We know how to transform facts into winning legal arguments. That's why we consistently secure sizable settlements and verdicts for families throughout the state.
But your case is about more than just money. We want to work with you because we want to help restore dignity to your family's lives. We want to make sure victims and families get justice. No one should have to go through what you or your loved one faced. Contact our law firm right now and find out how we can help you get your life back on track.
You should be concerned if you notice injuries on a loved one at an assisted living facility that weren't there the last time you visited. Ask your family member how they got the injuries. If they're reluctant to answer you, it may be because they're afraid of being hurt again by the same person. Injuries that could be signs of neglect or abuse include:
- Bruises on the arms or face
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Trouble walking
- Unexplained cuts or welts
Your loved one's health and safety could be in danger. That's why it's critical that you contact our law firm as soon as possible. We can help you get the medical care you need for your injured family member. We can also help you take strong legal action against the facility that harmed your loved one.
Visitation rights restricted or revoked
You should be alarmed if the assisted living facility where you or a loved one lives suddenly prohibits visitors. This could be a sign that the nursing home wants to prevent families and friends from seeing the abusive or neglectful activity occurring there.
If you're a resident or a family member of someone who lives in a facility that suddenly restricts access, we can help you ask the following important questions:
- Why is the facility restricting access?
- Who made the decision?
- Does the facility have written documentation to justify such actions?
- When will normal access resume?
Assisted living residents should not feel like prisoners. And the people who work there are not guards. You have rights and we can fight for them!
Sudden weight loss can be a sign of neglect at an assisted living facility. Instead of serving healthy, well-balanced meals, some nursing homes cut corners and serve residents unhealthy food or less food overall. Or some facilities fail to make sure that residents actually eat the food they're served. They may have cut staff to the bone or hired unqualified workers.
Other times, weight loss might be an indication of psychological abuse or another serious health problem. What matters is your loved one's health could be at risk since they're malnourished and not getting enough to eat.
Johnson Greer Law Group can work with your family and help you hold the assisted living facility accountable for its actions. We can also work with you to make sure your loved one receives the medical care he or she needs - and it doesn't cost you a fortune. You didn't do anything wrong. We can help you fight for justice.
You know your loved one best. You should be able to recognize an unusual personality change. Don't shrug it off. It could be a sign of a serious problem at the facility. Contact our law firm. We can get straight to work on your case and find out what's causing your loved one's sudden mood swings. Signs that abuse or neglect may be happing include:
- Not talking
- Unexplained crying
- Avoiding eye contact
- Sleeping more than usual
- Depression
- Hysterical laughter
- Not responding to questions
Many assisted living facilities often deny any wrongdoing. The management might even claim they did everything they could to cheer up your loved one. That may be true. But don't take their word for it. Make sure you have someone you trust investigating your concerns. Make sure you contact us. Our firm knows how to get to the root of complex problems.
Many monthly expenses at assisted living facilities are predictable. Most charge the same amount each month for rent, food and other essential items. That's why you should be alarmed if you suddenly notice large withdrawals or payments to the facility.
Unfortunately, knowing whether an assisted living facility is taking advantage of you or a loved one can sometimes be much harder to detect. And worst of all, many of us don't spot these warning signs until it's too late.
Contact our law firm immediately if you notice unusual financial problems involving yourself or a loved one who lives in an assisted living facility. They include:
- Unexplained withdrawals
- Bounced checks
- Cash missing
Warning signs for loved ones living in an assisted living facility could be:
- Disheveled appearance
- Missing jewelry or other valuable items
- Sudden change in spending habits