Neglect is never acceptable. Most people hear the word neglect or abuse and think of children. However, they are not the only people who struggle to defend or protect themselves. The elderly are also at risk.

Research suggests that 64% of staff in nursing homes have committed some form of abuse or neglect within the last year. The neglect can be direct when a patient is slapped, hit, punched, or even bitten. In other cases, it’s simply a case of inadequate staffing levels and patients not receiving the level of care they need and deserve.

The truth is that the majority of patient care is performed by staff with basic certification. It’s little wonder that hygiene standards slip. Aging is both a blessing and a curse, and one thing that everyone should be mindful of.

Signs of Neglect

Any elderly patient who is abused is likely to have physical injuries. These can range from bruises to pressure sores, depending on the type of neglect. In addition, they are likely to have mental health issues.

Neglect is when the nursing staff have failed to perform their duties properly, resulting in sub-standard care. Abuse is when nursing staff intentionally harm a resident.

It’s important you recognize the signs and act as quickly as possible.

•         Reduced interest in activities
•         Nervousness and anxiety, especially when specific staff are in the vicinity
•         Depression, especially if they have no history of it
•         Fresh bruises that can’t be explained
•         Poor personal hygiene standards
•         Nursing home has a poor standard of cleanliness
•         Loss of weight
•         Any other behavior that is outside the norm for your loved one

Reasons for Negligence

Nursing staff aren’t generally vindictive or working in a nursing home simply to cause issues for the patients.  In many cases, neglect arises because of one of the following reasons:

·         Poor hiring process

Nursing staff should hold appropriate certifications, have passed a background check, and be qualified for the job. Sadly, due to a lack of applicants and lax hiring procedures, this isn’t always the case.

Staff who aren’t properly trained are bound to accidentally neglect patients.

·         Lack of maintenance

Nursing home residents often suffer from balance issues, perhaps diminished eyesight, and other health complications. When the nursing home isn’t properly maintained, it quickly becomes a dangerous place.

Simply tripping over a hazard, such as rubbish stacked by a door, can be classified as neglect.

·         No supervision

New staff, inexperienced staff, and those still training need to be monitored to ensure they adopt best practices.

Too many nursing homes don’t monitor these staff; they simply don’t have enough staff to do it. Unfortunately, failing to monitor staff, resulting in residents being injured, is a form of neglect.

·         Lack of medical training

Nursing staff need a broad understanding of medical issues and how to handle the simplest ones. Without proper training, they may not be able to react quickly enough when someone suffers a heart attack. Their inexperience may even cause them to mix up medicines.

Putting a Case Together

As soon as you notice any issues and suspect neglect, you need to start documenting the issues. Having a paper trail and photos will make it much easier to successfully sue the nursing home.

You should also contact the nursing home management and make sure they are aware of the issue. Ideally, they will immediately resolve the problem, but that won’t stop you from pursuing legal action.

When you contact the nursing home management, you should also contact the Department of Human Services Division of Aging Services and report the neglect or abuse. It’s possible to do this via an online form on their website.

The police don’t always need to be involved. However, if the neglect is severe or your loved one is in immediate danger, contact the police and file a report.

At this stage, you should also contact the Nursing Home Law Center. While there are several legal options, this firm has an excellent track record. It’s based in Georgia and has won approximately $1.5 million for neglected dementia patients. They secured a male amputee $1.25 million after they developed stage-four bedsores, which led to malnutrition, extreme inflammation, and death.

Alongside the compensation, your lawyer will ensure the nursing home pays your medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and a suitable amount for your emotional distress.

The great thing about suing a nursing home in Georgia is that you only need to contact the lawyers, give them your information, and share your documentation. They’ll handle everything else for you.

With the lawyer’s permission, you should also release details to the local community. Those who have loved ones in the same nursing home will want to know about your neglect case. You’re sure to get community support, just as the HRC mobilized voters during global Black Pride.

Summing Up

While it is completely possible to sue a nursing home and win, it can get very complicated. That’s why, to help ensure success, you should contact a qualified and experienced Georgia-based lawyer.

It will take the stress out of the situation and help ensure your loved one gets justice as well as prevent them from being neglected or abused again.