McDonough Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
It is generally impossible to anticipate that a loved one would be subjected to abuse or neglect at their carefully chosen nursing home facility. Nursing home abuse and neglect often go unreported for too long. Once the nursing home abuse is discovered, extensive damage may already have taken place. Those who have been injured could turn to a McDonough nursing home abuse lawyer for help.
If you believe your loved one has been abused or neglected, a compassionate personal injury attorney may be able to help your family seek justice. A skilled lawyer could work with you to hold the abusive nursing home accountable for the actions.
Types of Elderly Abuse
Nursing home abuse is relatively common in the United States and it could take on many forms. Actions considered abuse may include:
- Medical abuse – withholding medications or not providing access to medical professionals
- Emotional or verbal abuse – isolation, humiliation, insults, or threats
- Physical abuse – hitting, slapping, pinching, hair-pulling, pushing, kicking, and dropping residents or allowing them to fall
- Sexual abuse and rape – coerced sexual activity
- Financial abuses – identity theft, stealing, and coerced loans or gifts
A McDonough nursing home abuse attorney could help examine the specific circumstances to help determine whether the actions may be considered abuse.
The Elderly Care Neglect Claims Process
In the State of Georgia, injured individuals must file their complaints with the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), which regulates healthcare facilities and their licensure. When a complaint is filed, the government agency may investigate and review the nursing home facility’s license and certification.
Many choose to go a step further and file a civil personal injury claim directly against the abusive nursing home and their negligent staff. If the nursing home is found negligent, they could possibly lose their funding and Medicare and Medicaid service payments or possibly having to pay a fine. A compassionate nursing home abuse attorney in McDonough could help individuals file their claim and seek compensation.
Compensatory Damages for Affected Families
With the help of a hard-working attorney, an individual could recover many types of damages depending on the specific circumstances. In most cases, individuals could recover economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages refer to a quantifiable monetary value. These could include the cost of hospital stays, rehabilitation and surgical procedures, and present and future medical costs. Economic damages could also include the costs of moving to a different nursing home, obtaining therapy, and paying medical bills associated with the abuse or neglect.
Non-economic damages do not have a specific monetary value. These could include:
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
If someone passed away due to nursing home abuse, the surviving estate may be eligible for wrongful death compensation to help with funeral costs, end of life care, and the loss of the deceased individual’s companionship.
A McDonough Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Could Help
We often trust nursing home staff to take care of our loved ones. When they fail to, it is important to remember that you have rights. If your loved one has been physically, emotionally, or financially abused, you could help them seek justice.
A dedicated McDonough nursing home abuse lawyer could be by your side as you seek to hold the responsible party accountable for their actions. Speak to a committed attorney to learn more about filing a claim. Call today to get started.
