When you entrust a family member’s care to a nursing facility, you expect your loved one to receive proper treatment. Sadly, many nursing homes put profits over care and fail to live up to the most basic standards. In these cases, vulnerable residents may suffer severe harm.
Victimized elders and their family members have options for seeking monetary damages from those responsible for nursing home abuse and neglect. A compassionate attorney could help build a strong case against the at-fault party, whether it be an individual worker or the entire assisted living institution. Additionally, a Suwanee nursing home abuse lawyer could help prevent future mistreatment by holding the negligent party accountable for their actions.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse in Suwanee
Nursing home residents are often physically and mentally fragile. Their relatives and loved ones might not be able to oversee their care as closely as they would like, leading to the decision to place them in an assisted living facility.
Unfortunately, nursing home residents are particularly vulnerable to various forms of mistreatment. Abuse and neglect could result from inadequate or poorly trained staff, lack of necessary equipment, overcrowding, and insufficient medical supervision. However, sometimes nursing home staff intentionally harm residents. In these cases, a dedicated local attorney could help file claims for the following types of nursing home abuse.
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse in nursing homes is quite common. This form of abuse encompasses cruel behaviors such as ignoring, isolating, mocking, or humiliating a resident. Depriving a resident of social contact, messages from their loved ones, or information about their medical condition also might be considered emotional abuse.
Physical Abuse
Striking, pushing, or restraining a nursing home resident are types of physical abuse, as is depriving a resident of necessary medical care. This form of mistreatment could also include neglecting a person’s basic needs, such as:
- Food
- Clothing
- Clean surroundings
- Personal hygiene
- An environment at a comfortable temperature
Sexual Abuse
Any non-consensual touching or contact with a person’s private parts is considered sexual abuse. However, subjecting a nursing home resident to intrusive questions about sexual matters, showing them pornography, or exposing them to other sexual material are also forms of sexual abuse. Unwanted sexual advances also fall under this category.
Financial Exploitation
Nursing home staff or administrators stealing from residents is an obvious form of financial exploitation. Using access to a resident’s finances as a way of controlling their behavior is another example of financial abuse.
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
It is not always easy to discover nursing home abuse. Residents might be hesitant to complain because their abuser is intimidating or frightening them. Furthermore, some residents might lack the cognitive ability to recognize abuse or might be incapable of communicating it.
Family members should be diligent about overseeing the care of their loved one and asking probing questions if something seems off. Above all, they must be aware of the signs of nursing home abuse and be willing to confront facility administrators if they suspect neglect or mistreatment.
Because residents of nursing homes are often in fragile physical and mental health, it could be challenging to distinguish between the effects of abuse and the normal course of aging and disease. Family should consult with an experienced nursing home abuse attorney if their loved one:
- Suffers bone fractures
- Experiences pressure sores
- Falls frequently or without explanation
- Expresses agitation, fear, or anxiety around staff
- Displays a marked, unexplained change in sleeping or eating habits
- Complains of neglect or abuse
Proving Nursing Home Negligence in Suwanee
The Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 51-1-27 establishes that medical professionals must adhere to the standard of care of a reasonable practitioner when treating patients. A failure to care for nursing home residents in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations constitutes negligence.
Both state and federal law govern the operation of assisted living facilities. A seasoned nursing home lawyer in the area could evaluate the conditions of a particular facility and the care of a specific patient to determine whether violations occurred. If so, the patient and their loved ones could discuss legal options with their lawyer to correct the condition and get compensation for their losses.
Speak with a Suwanee Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Right Away
If you suspect your loved one is suffering from nursing home abuse, your first priority should be to report your suspicions to the appropriate authorities. Once you have secured your loved one’s safety, a Suwanee nursing home abuse lawyer could help you pursue financial reparations from the at-fault party.
Negligent facilities and staff members must be held accountable for the damage they cause to residents. Contact our office today to discuss your situation and learn your legal options moving forward.