Nursing Home Abuse

Alpharetta, Georgia Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys – Wrongful or Inappropriate Care

Published on: March 20, 2019 | By Van Sant Law

Often, when it becomes difficult or impossible for a senior to care for himself or herself, a nursing home or assisted living facility is the best solution. Nursing homes are supposed to have skilled, trained staff and to provide care for the patients they admit, especially those patients with special needs. Unfortunately, as Georgia Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys, we know that nursing homes do not always live up to the obligation they make to patients or to family members who entrust nursing homes with the care of loved ones.

When a nursing home falls short by providing wrongful care or inappropriate care of a senior, this can have serious consequences. Seniors can suffer from major medical problems and can experience significant pain, as well as mental and emotional distress. In some cases, a vulnerable senior will even die as a result of wrongful or inappropriate care, leaving distraught loved ones behind.

If you or a loved one has fallen victim to wrongful or inappropriate care at a nursing home, the laws in Georgia allow you to take action against the home and to recover compensation for financial and other losses. An Alpharetta, Georgia Nursing Home Abuse Attorney can assist you in understanding your rights and in pursing a claim against the nursing home.

Atlanta, Georgia Elder Abuse Attorneys – Verbal Abuse or Belittling

Published on: March 20, 2019 | By Van Sant Law

Verbal abuse or belittling can always have damaging health effects, causing depression, anxiety, insomnia and even suicide. While all populations can feel the effects of verbal abuse, senior citizens who are dependent upon nursing homes or caretakers are one segment of the population at great risk. Stressed nursing home staff, lack of sufficient staff supervision or background checks and improper nursing home policies can all cause seniors to fall victim to verbal abuse or belittling. As Atlanta, Georgia Elder Abuse Attorneys we know this is a big problem, especially among seniors who cannot or will not speak up for themselves, such as those suffering from dementia.

Seniors, whether they are living in a nursing home facility, assisted living facility or are being cared for in their own home, have the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Unfortunately, when this doesn’t occur and a senior citizen is subject to verbal abuse or belittling, the abuse can have serious and far-reaching effects. In fact, according to the Senior Journal, seniors who experience either physical or mental abuse are three times more likely to die within three years than seniors who are in an environment free of abuse.

If you have been the victim of senior abuse in a nursing home or if your loved one has been victimized by verbal abuse or belittling, it is important to take action. This means not only reporting the abuse so it can be investigated and stopped, but also contacting an Atlanta, Georgia Elder Abuse Attorney who can assist with filing a lawsuit against the nursing home to recover compensation.

Atlanta, Georgia Elder Abuse Lawyers – Sexual Harassment or Assault

Published on: March 20, 2019 | By Van Sant Law

Elderly residents in nursing homes often suffer from debilitating physical or mental problems that make them vulnerable and that make it difficult for the seniors to defend themselves or even to speak up when they are mistreated. Unfortunately, because nursing home patients are so vulnerable, nursing home abuse is a major problem throughout the United States. Nursing home abuse takes many forms including physical and mental abuse, but one of the most devastating types of nursing home abuse that we see as Atlanta, Georgia Elder Abuse Lawyers is sexual harassment or sexual assault.

Sexual harassment and sexual assault can and does happen in nursing homes. Staff members who inflict sexual harassment or abuse on patients tend to pick the weakest and the most vulnerable, including those suffering from cognitive diseases. This abuse can have grave consequences including transmission of STDs, bruising and injury, depression and severe emotional trauma.

If you or a loved one has been victimized by sexual harassment or sexual assault in a nursing home, you must take action. Reporting even suspected abuse to law enforcement is essential, and it is also advisable to speak with an Atlanta nursing home abuse lawyer to get help obtaining compensation from the nursing home for damages that were caused by the sexual abuse.

Atlanta Elder Abuse a Growing Risk for Seniors Without Family Connections

Published on: March 20, 2019 | By Van Sant Law

The number of seniors with no children and no living spouse is growing and is expected to continue to expand in the future. Today, one in four seniors age 65 and older is a widow, a widower, or single and has either no children or no children that live close by. Among Americans between the ages of 45 and 60, currently 1/3 of the population is single. While seniors without spouses or local children are not necessarily socially isolated, a good portion of the aged population who fits into this demographic group also has no close friends nearby and no community network. Seniors who fit this description have been given the name “elder orphan,according to Family-Studies.org.

Elder orphans could face an increased risk of falling victim to nursing home abuse and neglect, compared with seniors who have wider communities and close families to protect their interests. Seniors without close family members need to be vigilant about protecting their own interests, whenever possible. This means if you are a victim of abuse, you should contact an Atlanta nursing home neglect and abuse lawyer for assistance. Children who have parents in nursing homes and who suspect abuse should also take legal action, because an abuse investigation and lawsuit against a facility can stop the abuse of seniors who may not have an advocate to speak out on their behalf.

Atlanta Nursing Home Abuse a Growing Risk for “Elder Orphans

Concerns Over Nursing Home Care are Serious Issues

Published on: February 20, 2012 | By Van Sant Law

If you have relatives in a nursing home, you most likely have some concerns. After all, people in nursing homes are at the mercy of their caregivers, and you never really know the whole story unless you are there all the time.

But as an attorney who has worked with victims of nursing home abuse, let me tell you that, if you are hearing stories, you owe it to your loved one to investigate the situation.

Just as parents are encouraged to “listen to their children” and take accusations about issues seriously, you need to listen to your aged parents, aunts, uncles or grandparents. Even if they are prone to telling stories or want nothing more than to be “elsewhere,” any complaints about nursing home treatment need to be taken very seriously.