The decision to place someone in a long-term residential facility is often difficult and emotional. Knowing that your loved one is receiving diligent care can make the transition smoother and put your mind at ease. However, suspecting or discovering the abuse of your family member can be a devastating experience.
If you have experienced or suspect mistreatment at an assisted care facility, speak to a compassionate attorney at Smith Hulsey. A Winder nursing home abuse lawyer could help secure the victim’s safety and holding the residential institution accountable.
Unfortunately, abuse and neglect in nursing facilities is not uncommon. Mistreatment may result from various factors, including:
Abuse and neglect may seep into every aspect of a resident’s life. General neglect often leads to poor hygiene, dirty living conditions, malnutrition, and dehydration. Neglect can have seriously detrimental effects on vulnerable nursing home residents who rely on dedicated care to perform basic tasks.
Abuse can take many forms, including physical injuries, emotional distress, sexual exploitation, financial manipulation, and medical mistakes. Improper medical decisions can result in bedsores, undiagnosed conditions, undertreated ailments, and even death. Inaccurate medication dosing is also problematic, especially when administered as a chemical restraint.
An attorney who focuses on nursing facility abuse could help families investigate their suspicions, discuss solutions with management, and relocate residents if necessary.
Families cannot always monitor their loved one in assisted living, but by visiting regularly and making careful observations, they may be able to detect abuse early on and prevent further harm. Warning signs include:
Families should look into any unusual behavior by a nursing home resident or staff member and immediately consult a nearby attorney if they suspect abuse or neglect.
The prevalence of nursing home abuse prompted both Congress and the Georgia legislature to enact laws regulating these facilities and protecting residents’ rights. The patient’s bill of rights is outlined under the Nursing Home Reform Act, at Federal Code of Regulations Section 483.10, and the Official Code of Georgia §§ 31-8-103, 31-8-104 through 31-8-121. In addition to ensuring patient safety, these laws safeguard the following individual rights:
A nursing home that disregards these and other guaranteed rights may constitute a breach of obligation. In this scenario, the family should intervene to safeguard the patient’s well-being and to hold the nursing home responsible for its misdeeds. A diligent nursing home abuse lawyer could represent a Winder patient and their family and help collect appropriate damages.
Nursing home residents are vulnerable and cannot advocate for themselves. As such, the attorneys at Smith Hulsey are committed to keeping residents safe and holding facilities accountable for the harm they cause.
If you suspect maltreatment of your elderly family member, work with a skilled Winder nursing home abuse lawyer at our firm. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can start working on protecting your loved one’s well-being.
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