Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in Savannah

Georgia Nursing Home Residents’ Bill of Rights

Savannah nursing homes are regulated to protect the dignity, privacy, and integrity of their residents. By law, every new resident should be provided a copy of their rights when they enter a facility.

In Georgia, resident rights include but are not limited to:

• Non-discrimination based on age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, religion, or source of payment.
• Privacy as long as it does not go against medical needs.

• Freedom of choice to do things such as vote, practice religion, abstain from religious observations, participate in any nursing home activities or decide who manages finances.

• Ethical care, treatment, and services while living at the nursing home.

• Proper nutrition that is appropriate to the individual’s needs and abilities. That includes three meals per day with no more than a five-hour gap in between.

• Freedom from physical or chemical restraints unless medically necessary and explained in writing by a treating physician.

• Access to certain information regarding rates, administrators, statements of charges, and facility policies.

Why Does Savannah Nursing Home Abuse Happen?

Although many long-term care facilities do a wonderful job caring for their residents, there are a number of factors that can lead to abuse and neglect.

Examples of nursing home abuse and neglect include:

• Undertrained employees
• Understaffed facilities
• Negligent hiring practices
• Poor sanitation
• Medication errors
• Inadequate supervision to prevent resident-on-resident abuse

Nursing homes (or assisted living facilities) that breach their duty to care for residents may be held liable under Georgia’s personal injury laws. Depending on the source of the abuse, a medical malpractice claim might also be appropriate. A nursing home abuse lawyer in Savannah can help.

What Is Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect?

Nursing home abuse and/or nursing home neglect is separated into these categories:

• Physical Abuse: Hitting, shoving, biting, unlawful restraint, and deprivation leading to bodily harm are examples.
• Emotional Abuse: Humiliating, threatening, yelling, demeaning, ridiculing, or ignoring residents is another form of abuse.
• Sexual Abuse: This occurs whenever there is non-consensual sexual contact between a nursing home resident and someone else.
• Financial Abuse: This happens when another person accesses the victim’s money, credit cards, and other assets for personal use.
• Neglect: The willful withholding of the medical, emotional, and fundamental daily care that the resident needs.
• Self-neglect: In some cases of abuse, symptoms manifest when victims stop caring for themselves (ignoring basic hygiene needs, refusing food, withdrawing from activities that he or they enjoyed).

How Do I Know If My Loved One Is a Victim of Savannah Nursing Home Abuse?

It’s hard to get a firm number on how many elderly and vulnerable adults are abused in nursing homes and assisted living facilities each year. Some victims are physically unable to report the abuse. Others may be unaware that they are being victimized, particularly when it comes to financial exploitation. That’s not to mention the segment of the population who are too scared to report what is happening. Our nursing home abuse attorneys in Savannah can help.

Sometimes it can be hard to separate signs of abuse from the consequences of normal aging.

Some potential warning signs of nursing home abuse and neglect include:

• Broken bones, bruises, or cuts
• Bedsores
• Dehydration
• Unexplained weight loss
• Cognitive decline
• Depression
• Emotional outbursts/withdrawal
• Poor hygiene
• Reports of falls or wandering
• Signs of financial trouble such as unpaid bills, unusual charges, missing checkbooks, and stolen property

What to Do If You Suspect Savannah Nursing Home Abuse

If you have concerns about the way a facility is treating its residents, or if you suspect abuse,  you have a variety of options. If someone is in immediate jeopardy, call 911 or the police right away. But unless there is a compelling reason not to, try going to the administrators first to lodge your complaint. In Georgia, nursing homes must respond within three days. If they do not respond or fail to respond to your satisfaction, then you should report it to the state and contact a qualified Savannah nursing home abuse lawyer.

For help with your nursing home abuse complaint, you can contact:

Georgia Adult Protective Services: Report elder abuse online or call (866) 552-4464.

Georgia Long-Term Care Ombudsman: Call (866) 552-4464.

• Call the state’s Department of Social Services. The Department of Social Services is responsible for investigating reports of abuse and neglect in nursing homes. You can find the phone number for your state’s Department of Social Services by searching online or by contacting your local library.
• Call the police. The police are also responsible for investigating reports of abuse and neglect in nursing homes. You can call the police by dialing 911.
• Report the abuse to the nursing home’s administrator. The nursing home’s administrator is responsible for ensuring the safety of the residents. You can report the abuse to the administrator by calling the nursing home’s main number.

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Why Should I Talk to a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney?

Reporting abuse complaints to the state is crucial. But there are hundreds of nursing homes in Georgia, and despite the state’s efforts, response times to investigate claims are lagging. That’s where a nursing home abuse lawyer can help.

Final takeaways when it comes to nursing home abuse:

To find out if you have a claim, please call us or contact us online today. There is no charge for a case evaluation with our nursing home abuse attorneys.  

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