You Should Talk to an Augusta Nursing Home Negligence Attorney if You Have Concerns

Nursing home negligence is alarmingly common. So is nursing home abuse. According to data from the National Council on Aging (NCOA), up to five million older Americans fall victim to abuse every year. As a result, if you are concerned about the quality of the care you or a loved one has received in a Georgia nursing home, you should not ignore your concerns. To the contrary, you should discuss your situation with an experienced Augusta nursing home negligence attorney as soon as possible.

Signs of Nursing Home Negligence and Abuse

As a nursing home resident (or as the family member of someone who lives in a nursing home in Georgia), it is important to be aware of the signs of nursing home negligence and abuse. In the moment, it isn’t always easy to know whether nursing home staff are acting appropriately. But, as we just discussed, negligence and abuse in the nursing home setting are both common; and, if you have concerns, there is a good chance that your concerns are valid.

The signs of nursing home negligence and abuse can be broken down into three categories: physical, emotional and financial.

Physical Signs of Nursing Home Negligence and Abuse

The physical signs of nursing home negligence and abuse can be indicative of inadequate care, abandonment, or physical or sexual assault. If you or a loved one is experiencing any of the following, you should consult with an Augusta nursing home negligence attorney right away:

• Physical injuries (in the nursing home setting, physical injuries should rarely happen, and may be indicative of inadequate care or physical or sexual abuse)

• Bedsores and other injuries caused by lack of mobility

• Weight loss or signs of malnutrition or dehydration (including fatigue, loss of appetite, frequent illnesses and longer recovery periods)

• Poor hygiene or unsanitary living conditions

• Inadequate wound care (including inadequate treatment for bedsores) and unused medications

Emotional Signs of Nursing Home Negligence and Abuse

The emotional effects of nursing home negligence and abuse can impact all aspects of residents’ lives, and they can have long-term impacts. Oftentimes, residents will not realize that they are experiencing emotional changes—at least not right away—and, when they do realize it, they won’t immediately identify neglect or abuse as the cause. But, neglect and abuse are among the most common causes of changes in nursing home residents’ psychological conditions, including changes such as:

• Anxiety and depression

• Becoming angry or aggressive

• Becoming withdrawn and limiting communications with friends and family

• Difficulty getting a good night’s sleep

• Fear of caregivers or other nursing home staff

Financial Signs of Nursing Home Negligence and Abuse

Along with substandard care and physical, sexual and emotional abuse, financial abuse is a significant concern for nursing home residents as well. Sadly, many nursing homes take advantage of their residents, and individual staff members will often steal from or attempt to take advantage of residents as well. With this in mind, signs of financial abuse in the nursing home setting include:

• Excessive or unexplained charges from the nursing home

• Missing cash, checks or credit cards

• Requests for signatures on new contracts or financial documents

• Requests or pressure to give staff members money, buy them gifts, or write them into residents’ wills

• Unexplained charges or purchases

These are just some of the most common examples. Again, if you have any concerns about any form of nursing home negligence or abuse, we strongly encourage you to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.

What Attorney Keith B. Johnson Can Do to Help You

If you have concerns about nursing home neglect or abuse, there are several ways that Augusta nursing home negligence attorney Keith B. Johnson can help you. Some examples of the ways Keith can help include:

Provide a Free and Confidential Consultation 

When you contact us, we will arrange for you to speak with Keith one-on-one. This initial consultation is completely free and confidential, and there is no obligation to engage our firm for additional services.

Evaluate Your (or Your Aging Loved One’s) Care 

Keith will evaluate the quality of your (or your aging loved one’s) care to determine if you have a claim for nursing home negligence or abuse. Keith is intimately familiar with the signs and symptoms of physical, sexual and emotional mistreatment, and he can help you gain a clear understanding of your (or your aging loved one’s) current circumstances.

Review the Nursing Home’s Contract and Billings

In addition to looking for signs of physical, sexual and emotional mistreatment, Keith can look for signs of financial abuse as well. Among other things, this will involve reviewing the nursing home’s contract and billings to determine if it has been billing properly.

Help You Obtain Medical Treatment if Necessary 

If you or your loved one needs medical treatment, Keith can assist with obtaining treatment outside of the nursing home facility. This includes dealing with nursing home staff on your behalf if necessary.

File a Claim Against the Nursing Home

Finally, if you or your aging loved one is a victim of nursing home negligence or abuse, Keith will file a claim against the nursing home. He will work to recover just compensation on your family’s behalf, including compensation for your (or your aging loved one’s) out-of-pocket costs, pain and suffering, and other financial and non-financial losses.

Keith is happy to help you in other ways as well. Whether you need more information about the signs of nursing home neglect or you need help getting into a new nursing home facility, he will be there for you every step of the way. As our client, protecting you and your family is our top priority, and we will do everything we can to help you move on from your difficult situation.

Whether you have questions or you are ready to file a claim against a nursing home, your first step is to get in touch. We will arrange for you to speak with Keith in confidence as soon as possible, and Keith will help you make informed decisions about what to do next.