Assisted living facilities offer your elderly loved ones a new place to call home with the services they need to ensure their safety and comfort. Sadly, certain risks come with entrusting such housing communities with the care of your loved one. By law, in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 111-8-50-.07, assisted living facilities must meet or exceed specific standards of care for senior residents. However, some fall short of the requirement.
If you think a facility’s negligence has led to the suffering of your loved one, a Savannah nursing assisted living accident lawyer can help determine if the institution did not deliver the standard of care that the law requires. You may be able to pursue a claim for its actions when this happens. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today to learn more about your case and whether you have the right to recover compensation.
Common Accidents at Assisted Living Facilities
For some older adults, an assisted living facility offers more flexibility and independence when compared to other senior living options. However, this also means that injuries may arise when staff members do not adequately supervise or assist residents. Common accidents that the elderly may experience at an assisted living facility include the following:
Slip & Fall
Elderly adults are more prone to falling than younger people because of age-related factors. These factors include impaired vision, fatigue, reduced physical fitness, chronic diseases, limited mobility, and the use of multiple medications. As a result, residents can be more susceptible to injuries associated with falls, such as head injuries, broken hips, broken bones, lacerations, and sprains. Even if your loved one suffers only minor physical injuries after a fall, the incident can still traumatize them. As a result, they may appear withdrawn and self-isolate from others.
Medication Errors
Assisted living facilities are also responsible for dispensing the right medications in proper dosages to their residents. A medication error could trigger an adverse reaction in seniors, requiring emergency medical care. These unforeseen emergencies can lead to medical bills, lost wages due to caregiving duties, stress, and pain and suffering on the behalf of the assisted living resident and the family.
Transportation Accidents
Residents typically need help with their medical appointments, therapy sessions, shopping trips, and group outings. Accidents can happen when caregivers and drivers do not follow proper transportation protocol, or when there is a lack of safety equipment in transport vehicles, such as ramps, wheelchair lifts, and ambulatory rider seating options.
If assisted living facilities do not implement proper measures to reduce the risk of accidents, they could be held liable for resulting damages. Do not hesitate to consult with a Savannah nursing assisted living accident lawyer if you think your loved one has encountered such negligence. A lawyer can help you navigate the legal process and help you figure out your next steps.
Older Adults Can Have a Slow Road to Recovery
Older people experience age-related changes, such as thinner muscles, weaker bones, slower blood clotting, and lowered immune system. All of these can affect how fast elderly people heal after an injury. Additionally, other existing health problems can create complications that may delay recovery or be life-threatening. A fall that may be inconsequential for a younger person can be dangerous for an elderly person.
Suing the Assisted Living Facility Could Be an Option
If a facility’s negligence caused your loved one to suffer, you might have the right to file a lawsuit against them. Some important elements to establish in your case is if:
- The duty of care was met under the law and
- If a breach of duty of care has occurred while your loved one was in the assisted living facility’s care.
Family members entrust their family members to senior housing centers like assisted living facilities and expect the highest standard of care to their residents. When someone suffers a preventable injury, the facility may be legally and financially responsible for related damages.
If you think a facility has demonstrated negligence that directly caused the suffering or death of your elderly loved, you may have the right to ask the facility to investigate the situation. Contacting Adult Protective Services or law enforcement is also an option, depending on the facts and circumstances involved in your case.
Examples of cases where negligence may become grounds for a lawsuit against an assisted living facility include unsafe premises, inadequate supervision, failure to provide a resident’s needs, poor hiring practices, and failure to seek immediate medical treatment.
Discussing your case with a Savannah nursing assisted living accident lawyer can help you understand the process of pursuing legal action as well as what to expect. It can be stressful dealing with the hardship that comes with helping a loved one recover from an injury after an accident in an assisted living facility, but keep in mind that a statute of limitations may apply to your case. Under Georgia Code O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, this limitation is within two years from the date that the injury or death has occurred.
For a free legal consultation with a Savannah Assisted Living Accidents Lawyer serving Savannah, call (800) 794-0444
Your Loved One Deserves the Highest Level of Care and Protection
Assisted living facilities must do everything they can to keep their residents healthy and safe. When they violate their legal duties and responsibilities, you may have a valid claim. At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, we are dedicated to protecting the rights of the elderly and ensuring they receive the care and support they deserve.
Contact us to schedule your free consultation today by calling our office. Our team can help you figure out if a Savannah nursing assisted living accident lawyer is right for you.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
