Elder Abuse in Assisted Living Facilities: Bedsores Can Be Major Warning
There are an increasing number of facilities that specialize in caring for the elderly. In addition to nursing homes there are facilities that are called assisted living, group homes, or adult day care homes, and they are a bit different than traditional nursing homes. If you move a loved one into any of these facilities, it is very important to monitor your loved one for signs of abuse or neglect, including the development of bedsores. Bedsores are otherwise known as pressure ulcers, pressure sores, or decubitus ulcers. Bedsores have caused serious medical problems and even death for some patients in these types of facilities that are negligent and fail to provide adequate care and assistance for residents.
Bedsores can be a serious issue so it is important that anyone who develops bedsores get proper medical attention as soon as possible. A recent lawsuit involved an elderly woman who was living at a private care home. The woman developed a bedsore that then turned into multiple foul smelling bedsores. The flesh on the woman’s ears was all but deteriorated. By the time she was sent to the emergency room, it was too late. She died the following day. The family sued, and the court awarded $9.5 million dollars in restitution.
This is an example of what can happen when a person is not vigilant about the type of facility where their relative is admitted to reside. There are lots of these sub-standard places operating, which call themselves adult care centers. They can be extremely dangerous and life threatening. This facility was operated from a private home and hired nurses from a home health care agency to come in and take care of the residents that needed medical care. The owner was an absentee owner who actually worked at a full-time job somewhere else and did not provide adequate staff to take care of the residents at the facility. If you or a loved one has suffered neglect and serious injuries or even wrongful death in a group home or residential care facility, you may be entitled to compensation for your loss.
At Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, we represent Georgia residents in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits throughout the Atlanta area and all of Georgia. We are committed to representing those who suffer catastrophic injury and wrongful death. We fight for the best interests of our clients as part of our goal of being the best personal injury law firm in Georgia.
The regulation of these facilities is mandated by each state and not the federal government. These facilities typically have age requirements and primarily serve the elderly in our population. As some people age, they need some form of assistance but often do not need complete nursing care. This level of assistance may include aid with meals, laundry, and housekeeping or more extensive assistance with bathing, dressing and mobility.
Most residents in these facilities can get custom care for their needs, and this is usually dictated by the type of facility and the fee. The advantage of these types of facilities is that they create an environment that is conducive to prolonged health and independence. A lot of these facilities have social activities where seniors can meet others and make friends. Residents do not have to be bothered with household duties like cooking and cleaning. This leaves more time for productive activity. Most facilities also have medical staff that can care for the residents so their health is monitored.
It is important when choosing one of these facilities for a family member that you carefully evaluate the facility. A tour of the facility and taking note of how the staff is interacting with the residents is very important. The licensing and certifications should be verified. Some of these facilities are not intended to provide medical care with skilled nurses and some people will need competent medical providers. Homes that are designated nursing homes are run under extensive federal regulations and are really the place for someone requiring ongoing medical treatment. And it is also important to monitor your loved one's care and health on an ongoing basis once they are living there.
If you or a loved one has suffered serious injury or wrongful death resulting from the negligence, abuse or neglect of an assisted care or nursing home facility, you may be entitled to financial compensation. At Montlick and Associates, we represent elder Georgia residents who suffer injury caused by the failure of assisted care facilities to provide adequate care.
If you or someone you love has suffered elder abuse or neglect in an assisted living facility, the Georgia elder abuse attorneys at Montlick and Associates can help. Our dedicated, hard-working and compassionate attorneys have been helping families for over 39 years. We are available to assist clients throughout all of Georgia, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Dalton Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. Call us today for your free consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333), or visit us on the web at www.montlick.com. No matter where you are in Georgia, we are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you.