If you suspect that your elderly loved one has been mistreated or neglected in a nursing home, it is important to seek legal help. You can contact the law office of Joe Durham at 229-210-6226 to speak with a nursing home neglect attorney in Tifton, GA who can provide you with the necessary guidance and support.
The legal team at Joe Durham understands the complexities of nursing home abuse cases and has the resources and experience to help you seek compensation for any mistreatment or abuse that has occurred.
According to Georgia law, victims of nursing home abuse can seek compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. However, it is important to note that there are time limits for filing such cases, so it is crucial to seek legal help promptly.
With the help of a skilled personal injury lawyer, you can ensure that the proper steps are taken to file your claim in a timely and effective manner. Don’t hesitate to seek legal assistance if you suspect that your loved one has been mistreated in a nursing home.
How is a Nursing Home Abuse Case Handled?
Joe Durham’s law office is committed to advocating for victims of nursing home abuse in Tifton, GA. To strengthen a nursing home abuse case, the firm employs several tactics such as:
- Working with medical experts to identify the cause of injuries.
- Reviewing the medical records of the victim, ensuring that the nursing home does not restrict access to relevant information.
- Gathering photographic evidence and examining security footage.
- Reviewing business records to determine if the nursing home has engaged in illegal hiring practices.
- Conducting witness interviews if possible.
- Interviewing other employees and residents of the nursing home.
- Determining the cost of non-economic damages related to the abuse.
Additionally, if settlement offers made are unacceptable, Joe Durham is willing to take the case to trial to fight for the rights of his clients. The law office also maintains a policy of transparency in communication between the attorney and the client.
If a nursing home in Georgia is accused of any form of abuse, they will most likely seek legal assistance to minimize the impact of any potential consequences. It is therefore crucial that you also seek the help of a legal professional experienced in handling these cases to help you obtain compensation for your losses.
What Are Examples of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect?
A range of nursing home care abuses can occur, such as physical abuse, neglect by a caregiver, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, financial exploitation, and healthcare fraud.
Should your elderly family member sustain injuries due to such abuse while in a nursing home, please reach out to our office for assistance from a knowledgeable nursing home abuse lawyer based in Tifton, GA.
According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, three categories of nursing home abuse have been identified:
Domestic
This form of abuse is perpetrated by an individual whom the elderly person has a relationship with and trusts, such as a sibling, spouse, friend, child, or caregiver. The abuse can take place in the senior’s own home or in the caregiver’s residence.
Institutional
Institutional abuse refers to any form of mistreatment that occurs in a care facility for seniors, such as a nursing home, foster home, or group home. Typically, those who perpetrate the abuse are individuals responsible for the care and overall welfare of the elderly residents.
Self-neglect
This pertains to actions by an elderly person that jeopardize their safety, health, or overall well-being. The most prevalent manifestation of this issue is when elderly individuals fail to ensure they have adequate access to food, water, medication, hygiene, or other safety precautions.
It is distinct from situations where mentally capable individuals make a conscious decision to harm themselves by choice.If your loved one has been subjected to neglect or abuse while residing in a Georgia nursing home, contact Joe Durham for a free consultation.
Can I File a Lawsuit for Financial Abuse of an Elderly Person?
Due to the significantly low wages that the average home care employee receives and the nursing home’s storage of an elderly person’s personal information, Financial exploitation of the elderly has unfortunately become a widespread issue.
Studies have revealed that one out of every ten cases of elderly abuse involves financial or material exploitation. Here are some indicators that our experienced nursing home neglect attorney in Tifton, GA believes could be signs of material or financial abuse:
- Abrupt changes in the victim’s bank account, such as large sums of money being withdrawn
- Addition of unknown names to the victim’s bank account
- Sudden changes in the victim’s will or transfer of assets
- Missing funds or valuable possessions
If you suspect that your loved one is a victim of financial or material abuse, contact our attorneys immediately. You can rely on them to investigate any suspicious behavior and obtain damages if necessary.
What are the Warning Signs of Elderly Abuse?
Recognizing signs of nursing home abuse can be challenging since they aren’t always apparent and might not have any physical indicators. Visiting your loved one frequently and being aware of the most common signs of abuse is the best way to stay vigilant. Here are some signs of abuse to look out for:
- Anxiety or fear in certain situations or around specific staff members
- Bedsores
- Missing personal items
- Emotional withdrawal or unresponsiveness
- Poor hygiene
- Extreme hunger or dehydration
- Unexplained cuts or bruises
- A decline in physical health
- Listlessness or lack of energy
- Unexplained infections
If you observe any of these indications of abuse or harm to your loved one, contact the law offices of Joe Durham immediately. We will offer you our complete assistance in assessing the particulars of your case and recommending the best steps to safeguard their rights.
Why is Nursing Home Abuse so Prevalent?
The majority of the root causes of nursing home abuse can be attributed to mismanagement and understaffing in care facilities, which prevents adequate resourcing of the appropriate staff. This leads to various degrees of professional negligence. Furthermore, due to the growing demand for skilled and trained nursing home staff, there is often a higher turnover rate.
What Should You Do if You Suspect Your Loved One is the Victim of Nursing Home Neglect?
Nursing homes in Georgia are regulated by the Department of Community Health. However, if you have a loved one who is experiencing abuse, it’s important to seek the help of a qualified nursing home abuse attorney to file a claim.
Contact our office for assistance, and our experienced lawyer Joe Durham will work tirelessly to fight this injustice and ensure that your loved ones are happy and comfortable while we investigate the case.
If you suspect that your loved one is experiencing abuse, it’s crucial to document as much of the situation as possible. Take pictures of any injuries or visible signs of abuse. We’ll assist you in examining the evidence and providing a professional opinion. If you suspect that one staff member at the nursing home is involved in the abuse, it’s likely that others share your concerns.
Contact the Joe Durham Law Firm for a Free Consultation!
Under Georgia state law, nursing homes and other elderly care facilities have a legal obligation to provide care to their residents without exploitation, neglect, or abuse. If you believe that your elderly loved one is being subjected to abuse in a care facility, legal assistance is available to you.
Contact the Law Firm of Joe Durham at 229-210-6226 for an experienced attorney who can investigate the case and offer professional guidance and assistance in recovering compensation for the abuse.
