For many families, deciding to place a loved one in a nursing home is challenging. It involves trusting that the facility will provide adequate care and safety. However, when neglect occurs, it can have severe consequences.
Beasley Allen emphasizes that no one should endure neglect silently. Their attorneys focus on holding negligent nursing homes accountable and assisting families in seeking justice.
Nursing home neglect can lead to wrongful deaths, particularly from preventable falls or severe bedsores. This is especially tragic for individuals who previously lived at home with minimal assistance but declined rapidly after entering a facility. Neglect may involve failing to provide necessary food, water, hygiene, ignoring medical needs or delaying treatment, allowing residents to suffer from bedsores or infections, and emotional neglect such as isolation or verbal abuse.
Neglect often results from understaffing, poor training, or systemic mismanagement rather than intentional actions. Yet the harm caused is significant and actionable under the law.
In Georgia, several statutes protect residents of long-term care facilities. These include the Bill of Rights for Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities which ensures dignity and proper medical care. Healthcare professionals must report suspected abuse or neglect under the Adult Abuse Reporting Act. The Georgia Department of Community Health oversees licensing and inspections of nursing homes; violations can lead to civil liability including compensation for medical costs and suffering.
In Alabama, nursing home neglect cases fall under the Alabama Medical Liability Act (MLA), which requires expert testimony and detailed pleadings with shorter statutes of limitations than general negligence cases. Therefore, it's crucial to work with a legal team familiar with these laws' intricacies.
Federal regulations also apply; nursing homes receiving Medicare or Medicaid funding must comply with federal standards outlined in 42 U.S.C. § 1396r regarding residents’ rights and care requirements. Violations can strengthen civil cases and may result in regulatory penalties.
If you suspect your loved one is at risk of neglect in a nursing home:
- Document everything by taking notes and photos.
- Report concerns to the facility’s management and file complaints with your state’s health department.
- Seek legal advice from an experienced attorney who can evaluate your case.
Beasley Allen has extensive experience advocating for elderly rights through compassionate client service combined with strong legal representation. A recent case involved securing a six-figure verdict for a family whose member suffered due to negligent actions by staff at a Wilcox County facility—sending an important message within this industry about accountability.
When partnering with Beasley Allen clients gain not just legal representation but also support throughout their journey toward justice.