A Firm Aggressively Fighting For Victims Of Nursing Home Abuse And Neglect
Like the rest of the United States, Georgia is experiencing an increase its population of senior citizens, many of whom need more care than their families can provide. This has put a lot of pressure on nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, which are often short staffed. Reports of nursing home abuse and neglect are on the rise accordingly.
If you made the difficult decision to put a parent or other loved one in a nursing home and now suspect that they are being neglected or abused, it is important to discuss your concerns and your options with an experienced legal advocate. In northern Georgia, look no further than our attorneys at The McGarity Group. Our firm is dedicated to assisting injury victims and their families, including victims of nursing home abuse and neglect, and we bring decades of combined legal experience to each case and client.
Recognizing The Warning Signs
If a nursing home resident hasn’t suffered any cognitive decline and can think and communicate clearly, they could simply tell their family members that they are being abused or that their needs aren’t being met. Unfortunately, however, many nursing home residents suffer from Alzheimer’s, dementia and other medical conditions that make clear communication difficult or impossible. In such cases, it is important to watch for indirect evidence of abuse or neglect, including:
- Inadequate personal hygiene and/or unsanitary living conditions
- Rapid weight loss, dehydration or malnutrition that aren’t explained by any medical diagnosis that they have received
- Unexplained bruises, cuts and other wounds
- Numerous instances of falling accidents and/or elopement (wandering off)
- A sudden negative change in their demeanor, mood and personality (especially acting more fearful or withdrawn)
- Development of bedsores (pressure ulcers)
- Overhearing staff members berating or acting disrespectfully toward other residents
- Sudden and unexplained changes in their prescription drugs that weren’t discussed with you
Some of the warning signs mentioned above are not proof of abuse or neglect by themselves, but they are reasons to be suspicious. We make it easy to discuss your concerns with an attorney by offering free, no-obligation consultations.
Seeking Representation And Reporting To Authorities
If you know or suspect your loved one is being abused or neglected, it is likely necessary and advisable to report elder abuse to various state agencies. But you might want to contact a lawyer first or simultaneously. Unfortunately, these agencies can have surprisingly limited investigative and enforcement capabilities, and the timeline for taking action is often unacceptably long.
When you contact our firm, we can begin an immediate investigation. Based on what we discover, we can seek both short-term and long-term legal remedies in civil court. We will also work with you to ensure that facilities committing elder abuse get reported to regulatory agencies and, if necessary, the police. Our goal is to get your loved one out of harm’s way as soon as possible, then to seek maximum compensation on their behalf.
Tell Us Your Story In A Free Consultation
The McGarity Group is based in Buford, and we serve clients in the greater Atlanta metro area and throughout Georgia. To discuss your concerns and legal options with one of our caring and attentive attorneys, call us at 770-692-9877 or submit an online contact form.