Sadly, elder abuse is a very real problem in the United States, and seniors living in nursing homes are particularly vulnerable. It can be devastating to learn your parent, spouse, or loved one suffered harm at the hands of the people you charged with their care.
Many times, abuse is committed against those least able to protect themselves. Many nursing home residents need care because they suffer from chronic physical conditions and decreased cognitive functioning that make them dependent on others. They may be unable to report abuse or are afraid that telling someone will lead to retaliation.
Abuse, if left unchecked, can lead to dire consequences, including death. Our population is aging, and the World Health Organization (WHO) predicts the number of people aged 60 and older will increase from 900 million in 2015 to 2 billion in 2050. As the population of older adults rapidly increases, so will the occurrence of elder abuse.
It is important to fight against elder abuse and to hold abusers responsible. If your loved one suffered harm while in the care of a nursing home, a Savannah nursing home abuse lawyer may be able to help you seek a financial award against those liable for their suffering. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to learn more.
Types of Abuse
More than 3 million Americans live in nursing homes, and instances of abuse and neglect may be more common than you think. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), a survey of 2,000 nursing home residents found that 44 percent reported being abused, and 95 percent said they were neglected or witnessed another resident being neglected.
Abuse can take several forms:
Neglect
Neglect is the failure to meet a resident’s basic needs and care for them in a manner that does not cause harm or pain. Neglect can be intentional or unintentional. Sometimes, in cases of unintentional neglect, it could be that a nursing home is understaffed or the staff is poorly trained. Regardless of the cause, neglect is a form of abuse and should not be tolerated.
Physical Abuse
This type of abuse occurs when physical pain is intentionally inflicted upon a resident. This includes hitting, shoving, force-feeding, pushing, slapping, burning, or any other type of physical violence. Physical abuse can cause pain, injury, functional impairment, or death.
Emotional or Psychological Abuse
Examples of this type of abuse include verbal and non-verbal threats, humiliation, harassment, isolation, and ignoring a resident.
Sexual Abuse
This includes improper touching, coercion to perform sexual acts, or sexual harassment.
Financial Abuse
Financial abuse is the unauthorized and illegal use of a resident’s money, benefits, belongings, or property for the benefit of someone other than the resident. Examples of this may include theft of personal property, such as jewelry, or stealing from a resident’s bank account or retirement fund.
Signs of Abuse and Neglect
The following signs may indicate your loved one is not being properly cared for and could be suffering from abuse or neglect, according to the National Institute on Aging and the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care:
- Weight loss
- Unexplained cuts, bruises, burns, and scars
- Lack of bathing and proper hygiene
- Bedsores
- Lack of toileting or changing of soiled clothing
- Lack of assistance with mobility
- Malnourishment and dehydration
- Acting withdrawn, confused, or depressed
- Difficulty sleeping
- Lack of assistance eating and drinking
- Displaying signs of trauma, like rocking back and forth
If you believe your loved one is suffering abuse or neglect, you should report it immediately. Make a detailed, dated, written compliant with your loved one’s nursing home administration. You may also wish to report abuse to the local police, adult protective services, or an agency that advocates against elder abuse.
In Georgia, nursing home regulation is overseen by the Georgia Department of Community Health. You can file a complaint with the Department by calling (800) 878-6442. If you witness abuse as it is happening, call 911.
How a Lawyer Can Help
Abuse can have lasting physical and psychological consequences and should never be tolerated. A Savannah nursing home abuse lawyer can help you address claims of abuse and neglect and hold responsible parties accountable.
You may be able to seek awards to compensate for your loved one’s medical expenses related to abuse. You may also seek awards for their pain and suffering. If your loved one passed away because of abuse, you may be able to seek compensation on their behalf, as well as compensation for your pain and suffering. A nursing home abuse lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can offer legal assistance. Call today for your free case review.
For a free legal consultation with a Savannah Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer serving Savannah, call (800) 842-6336
Savannah Nursing Home Injury Lawyer
Residents in nursing homes have the right to be free from violence, injury, abuse, and neglect. If you suspect that your spouse or parent has suffered any abuse or neglect in a Savannah nursing home, you can recover compensation for their injuries.
A Savannah nursing home injury lawyer with Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can evaluate your case while you focus on the safety and security of your loved one. Your family could recover compensation for damages such as medical care and pain and suffering.
Please call today for a free case review with a team member. For your convenience, you may talk with a team member at your home, the hospital, or by telephone.
Nursing Home Abuse Is a Nationwide Problem
According to the Georgia Department of Human Services’ Division of Aging Services, elder abuse is “one of the most undetected and underreported problems in the U.S.”
The most common types of nursing home abuse are:
- Physical abuse: Often intentional physical force that causes pain, injury, or discomfort.
- Sexual abuse: Any sexual behavior that occurs without the other person’s knowledge or consent.
- Emotional abuse: Intentional tactics such as insults or harassment designed to devalue an individual’s sense of dignity and self-esteem.
- Financial abuse: Any improper or illegal exploitation that causes your loved one to suffer financial loss.
- Neglect: Withholding essential care such as food, medicine, water, and rest to inflict physical and emotional injury.
Your loved one has legal rights. A Savannah nursing home injury lawyer can protect those rights and hold negligent caregivers accountable.
Why Call a Nursing Home Injury Lawyer
Georgia has complex liability and negligence laws. In addition, O.C.G.A § 9-3-33 sets a two-year time limit to file a personal injury case, meaning you have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit for nursing home abuse and negligence. You should get to spend time with your loved one and not have to deal with the many details required to pursue the compensation you deserve.
A Savannah nursing home injury lawyer can do the following on your behalf:
- Report the incident to Georgia’s Adult Protective Services.
- Secure testimony, evidence, and documentation such as medical records, photographs, and other proof to establish liability.
- Obtain police or incident reports and witness statements to support your claim.
- Request records of any past violations by the nursing home of state or federal guidelines.
- Secure expert opinions from doctors, psychiatrists, and elder care specialists to gain a better understanding of your loved one’s injuries and prognosis.
- Seek financial recovery on your behalf.
Nursing homes have a requirement to carry liability insurance. The facility may want to settle your case quietly. Our lawyers can negotiate a settlement on your behalf or, if negotiations prove fruitless, take your case to court.
Your Right to Pursue Compensation
You may think that nursing home abuse is strictly a criminal act. However, nursing home abuse and neglect can also subject the facility to civil lawsuits. Your loved one has already suffered enough for atrocious acts that caused physical and mental suffering. A nursing home lawyer with Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can identify all the liable parties and pursue compensation and justice on your loved one’s behalf.
Our lawyers provide legal representation for nursing home abuse victims and their loved ones. We gather evidence of liability to meet the required elements in any personal injury case:
- Duty of care: The expected fulfillment by nursing home staff to provide a safe, clean environment without abuse and neglect.
- Breach of duty: This occurs when the facility fails to uphold this duty of care and allows abuse or neglect to occur.
- Causation: When this abuse or neglect causes injuries to your loved one.
- Damages: Economic and non-economic losses caused by these injuries.
A lawyer with our firm helps you recover compensation on a contingency basis only. You do not pay upfront costs, and you do not have to worry about legal fees unless we successfully recover an award on your behalf.
Damages in a Nursing Home Injury Lawsuit
Each case has different circumstances. Recovering an award depends on the extent of your loved one’s injuries, their expected prognosis, and extenuating circumstances (for example, if the facility received previous citations for abusive acts).
We cannot promise the outcome of your case. However, our lawyers have recovered millions in damages for our clients, and we will do all we can to recover fair compensation for your injuries.
The most common damages associated with nursing home injury cases include:
- Ambulance ride and emergency medical care
- Medical equipment, devices, or prescriptions
- Other medical care and treatment
- Relocation and moving expenses to another facility
- Lifecare expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship or consortium
We will attempt recovery from all liable parties who played a role in your loved one’s injuries and losses.
Identifying Liable Parties
Nursing homes that were either ignorant or tolerant of any abuse or neglect should face accountability.
Some of the parties who may be held liable include:
- Individual caregivers
- Nursing home administrators
- Nursing home corporations and shareholders
Nursing homes have an obligation to keep residents safe from unscrupulous caregivers and other residents. They owe residents a duty of care to provide proper supervision to prevent harm or abuse.
Savannah Savannah Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Near Me (800) 842-6336
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Can Protect Your Loved One’s Rights
Unfortunately, elder abuse is a pervasive problem in our society. If your loved one suffered harm while in the care of their nursing home, it is not your fault. We are here to help you fight back against abuse, negligence, and wrongdoing, and hold the nursing facility and its staff responsible for any damage you and your family suffered.
We are here to help you through every step of your case so that you can focus on helping your loved one heal. A Savannah nursing home lawyer can help you gather evidence such as medical records, eyewitness statements, and expert testimony. A lawyer can help you identify all parties responsible for your loved one’s injury or death, and make sure you are seeking the compensation you may be entitled to receive.
We work on a contingency basis, so you pay nothing out of pocket and nothing up front. Our team only collects a fee if we win a settlement for you. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm risk-free to discuss your case.
Call or text (800) 842-6336 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
