Protecting Nursing Home Victims—It’s What We Do.
Macon Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys
Fighting Tirelessly to Protect Elderly Victims of Abuse & Neglect
As horrible as it is to imagine, nursing home abuse and neglect are shockingly common throughout the United States. All too often, elderly residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities do not receive adequate or proper care—with horrific results. Nursing home abuse and neglect leads to serious, catastrophic injuries and, in the worst cases, death.
If you believe you or your loved one may be the victim of substandard treatment from a nursing home facility or caregiver, we encourage you to reach out to our firm right away. By law, you are permitted to hold negligent and malicious caregivers accountable for the harm they cause, and Adams, Jordan & Herrington, P.C. can help. Our Macon nursing home abuse attorneys can inform you of your rights and begin immediately building a case to protect your or your loved one’s future.
Contact us online or call 478-743-2159 now for a free and confidential consultation. We have offices located in Macon, Milledgeville, Albany, and Dublin.
How to Report Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect in Georgia
The first thing to do if you suspect you or your loved one is the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect is to seek to put a stop to the mistreatment. You can do this by reporting the abuse, either to the nursing home facility’s administrator or directly to the state’s adult protection agency.
When you bring up suspected abuse to a nurse, doctor, caregiver, or administrator, they are required by law to report the alleged abuse to the proper authorities. However, if you are unable or unwilling to report the abuse to the home itself, you can contact the Georgia Department of Human Services’ Division of Aging Services and report the abuse directly. The provided link details how and when you can make a complaint against a nursing home or similar long-term care facility.
If you believe that you or anyone else is in imminent danger, call 911 immediately.
Contact an Attorney at Adams, Jordan & Herrington, P.C.
The next step to take after reporting the abuse to the proper party/authorities is to reach out to a knowledgeable attorney who can help you seek justice and fair compensation for your losses. Nursing home abuse cases often fall under personal injury or medical malpractice law, depending on the unique factors present. Our Macon nursing home abuse attorneys can help you determine if you have grounds for a claim and, if so, will aggressively pursue the maximum recovery you are owed.
We believe that elder abuse is completely unacceptable and that those who seek to harm seniors through negligent care or maltreatment should be held accountable under the fullest extent of the law. To learn how we can assist you with your case, contact us today. Your initial consultation is free, and there are no fees unless we win your case.
Call our Macon personal injury attorneys at 478-743-2159 today or contact us online to get started.
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How to Recognize Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect
Nursing home abuse, which encompasses neglect, takes many forms. While many people think of physical harm when they hear the term “abuse,” mistreatment can also be emotional, mental, sexual, or financial in nature. Because the signs of nursing home abuse vary so much depending on the type of abuse, and because these same signs often mimic symptoms of old age and a number of age-related illnesses, it can be difficult to determine when nursing home abuse is occurring.
However, it is absolutely critical that family members and loved ones are able to recognize these signs, as elderly individuals may not always be able to speak up for themselves. In many cases, loved ones are the first line of defense for seniors facing substandard care or mistreatment in long-term residential facilities.
Some of the most common physical signs of nursing home abuse and neglect include:
- Unexplained injuries, such as cuts, scrapes, and bruises
- Untreated or advanced bedsores (pressure ulcers)
- Broken bones and other fall-related injuries
- Dehydration and/or malnutrition
- Unusual changes in weight (rapid weight gain or loss)
- Infections or frequent illness
- Medication issues, such as overdose or sedation
- Unexplained sexually transmitted diseases/infections
- Sexual injuries to the genitals, buttocks, or female breasts
- Asphyxiation and/or bed injuries
- Soiled clothing or bedclothes
Other signs of nursing home abuse and neglect include:
- Unusual changes in mood or behavior, such as frequent crying or rocking back and forth
- Apparent agitation or anxiety in the presence of staff members or fellow residents
- Apparent hesitation to communicate, especially in a staff member or resident’s presence
- New and unexplained fear of being touched
- Emotional instability, irritation, outbursts, anger, or signs of depression
- Wandering, especially when wandering leads to injuries or death
- Changes to an estate plan (will, trust, power of attorney, etc.)
- Unexplained withdrawals from bank accounts or unusual cashed checks
You should also keep an eye on the overall behavior of the staff and the general condition of the facility. Does there appear to be sufficient staff for the number of residents living in the facility? Is there at least one physician onsite who is easy to gain access to and who is communicative? Does the facility appear clean and sanitized? Has your loved one communicated any dissatisfaction with the home or their treatment/care? These and other questions can allow you to determine whether your loved one is receiving adequate and proper care or if he or she may be the victim of abuse or neglect.
