Atlanta Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys
The nursing home abuse abuse attorneys at Montlick and Associates understand how difficult it can be to see parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and other relative grow old and decline physically or mentally. When those we love begin to have age related limitations, it can be necessary to entrust a loved one to the care of an Atlanta nursing home. When the limitations of our elderly loved ones becomes too great, we may be forced to rely on Atlanta nursing homes and other long-term residential care facilities. We expect the management and staff of these residential care facilities for seniors to provide conscientious care that we expect for our elderly loved ones. While many Atlanta nursing homes, convalescent care and senior residential facilities provide exemplary care, some facilities put profits above resident care. These Atlanta nursing home facilities may rely on inadequately trained and screened employees, or they woefully understaff the facility.
When Atlanta nursing homes fail to carefully screen, train or supervise staff or overwork staff, neglect and abuse of residents is common resulting in broken bones, bed sores and even premature death. Many Atlanta nursing homes receive federal funds and are required to comply with federal laws and regulations that specify the type and quality of care that seniors in nursing home facilities and other long-term care facilities are required to receive. The elder abuse attorneys at Montlick and Associates are committed to representing seniors that have received substandard care or been assaulted in Atlanta elder care residential facilities. Our experienced team of Atlanta nursing home abuse attorneys has been seeking financial compensation and justice for seniors who are denied the care that they are entitled to when they become residents of a long-term care facility since 1984.
Abuse and neglect of seniors in nursing homes can take many forms but the most common forms of abuse and neglect include the following:
Physical Assault: Those who provide care to seniors that are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other age related conditions need patience and compassion. Many staff members of nursing homes admit that fatigue can lead to impatience and anger resulting in acts of physical abuse. When an elderly resident is physically assaulted in a nursing home, they may be able to obtain financial compensation including punitive damages depending on the specific facts and circumstances.
Sexual Abuse: Because it is hard for elderly nursing home residents to physically repel sexual assaults, seniors are vulnerable to sexual abuse and exploitation. This may take the form of sexual intercourse, fondling, forced viewing of pornography, molestation and other forms of non-consensual sexual behavior.
Failure to Provide Nutrition/Hydration: Some nursing homes fail to provide the most basic necessities to residents including food and drink. When hygiene, hydration and nutrition needs are denied to seniors, this severe form of neglect may be the basis of legal action.
Chemical/Physical Restraint: When Atlanta nursing home facilities tie down residents or overly medicate residents without justification as a form of restraint, this form of abuse may be the basis of a legal claim for compensation.
Emotional Abuse: Elderly residents in Atlanta nursing homes may also be subject to forms of emotional abuse that causes fear and severe distress. Sometimes this may take the form of verbal abuse and threats. Emotional abuse can also take the form of abandonment or isolation of a senior.
Financial Abuse: If a staff member or administrator in an Atlanta nursing home extorts money or simply gains access to the financial assets of a senior, this form of financial overreaching and exploitation may be the basis of legal action. Those charged with the care of seniors may misuse a senior’s credit cards or bank accounts. Sometimes this form of abuse may even take the form of identity theft.
These forms of Atlanta nursing home abuse and neglect may be the result of a number of factors including the following:
- Failure to adequately staff the facility
- Declining to observe state and federal regulations and laws specifying mandatory care requirements
- Not conducting background checks when hiring staff
- Lack of training of employees
- Low pay in nursing homes
- Improper supervision of staff or lack of discipline for acts of abuse or neglect
If your love one is a resident in a nursing home, it is important to pay careful attention to visible signs of abuse or neglect. If you notice unexplained bedsores, poor hygiene, fractures or mood changes, these may be signs of Atlanta nursing home abuse or neglect. When our Atlanta nursing home abuse attorney investigate nursing home cases, we may inspect both government and facility records, conduct interviews and examine other potential evidence of mistreatment of residents. If you or a close family member is a victim of abuse or neglect in an Atlanta nursing home and suffer injury or a loved one dies, our Atlanta nursing home abuse attorneys committed to using all of our experience and expertise to obtain the best possible results for our clients. We encourage you to schedule a free consultation because there is absolutely no obligation for us to evaluate your Atlanta nursing home abuse claim. No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.