Cobb County Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

As family members, we trust nursing homes to provide safe and compassionate care for our elderly loved ones. Unfortunately, nursing home abuse and neglect are far too common, leaving residents vulnerable to physical, emotional, and financial harm.

If you suspect your loved one has suffered from nursing home abuse in Cobb County, it’s essential to seek legal help. An experienced Cobb County nursing home abuse lawyer can fight for justice, ensure that negligent parties are held accountable, and help recover compensation for the harm caused to your family.

Why Hire Nursing Home Law Center

At Nursing Home Law Center, we are dedicated to seeking justice and obtaining compensation for those impacted by abuse in nursing facilities. Our knowledgeable legal team has a strong history of managing such cases with care and securing substantial settlements and verdicts.

We carry out comprehensive investigations to make sure that every aspect of the abuse, from medical costs to emotional distress and other damages, is thoroughly addressed. With our extensive experience in handling nursing home abuse claims, we efficiently manage the challenges of the legal process and work relentlessly to safeguard your rights.

We offer compassionate and clear communication throughout your case, ensuring you and your loved ones feel supported, informed, and confident at every stage.

Types of Cases Handled by Our Cobb County Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

Nursing home abuse can take many forms, from outright physical violence to emotional manipulation and neglect. At our law firm, we represent elderly residents and their families in a wide range of abuse and neglect cases. A Cobb County nursing home abuse lawyer is experienced in holding nursing facilities accountable for the following types of abuse:

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse in assisted living facilities often involves direct violence, such as hitting, pushing, or the improper use of restraints. Broken bones, bruises, and unexplained injuries can be red flags indicating physical abuse. Our nursing home lawyers are dedicated to holding facilities accountable for allowing such harm to occur.

Mental and Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse can be just as damaging as physical abuse. It includes verbal insults, threats, humiliation, and isolation. These actions can cause severe emotional distress to residents, and it’s critical to seek legal action if your loved one has been subjected to such abuse.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse is a particularly egregious form of elder abuse and often goes unreported due to the victim’s vulnerability. Any inappropriate contact or sexual assault of elderly residents is illegal and demands immediate action. Our Cobb County nursing home abuse lawyers are committed to pursuing justice for victims.

Medical Malpractice

When assisted living facilities fail to provide proper medical care, it can lead to serious health issues. Bedsores, medication errors, and misdiagnosis are all forms of medical malpractice. These conditions are preventable with proper care, and nursing home facilities must be held responsible for such negligence.

Negligence

Negligence is one of the most common types of abuse in nursing facilities. Signs of neglect include poor hygiene, malnutrition, dehydration, and residents wandering away (elopement). If a loved one shows signs of neglect, contacting a nursing home abuse lawyer is crucial.

Financial Abuse

Some nursing home staff exploit elderly residents by taking control of their finances, forging signatures, or coercing them into changing their wills. If you suspect financial abuse, a Cobb County nursing home abuse lawyer can help recover lost funds and prevent further exploitation.

Wrongful Death

In tragic cases, nursing home neglect or abuse can result in the wrongful death of a resident. If your family has lost a loved one due to elder abuse, our personal injury lawyers will seek justice on your behalf and hold the facility accountable.

Understanding Your Legal Rights

Nursing home residents are granted important legal rights under federal and state laws to ensure their safety, dignity, and proper care.

The Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 is a key federal law that mandates assisted living facilities provide adequate care, protect residents from abuse or neglect, and respect their fundamental rights. 

Georgia state regulations further reinforce these protections, requiring facilities to meet specific health, safety, and staffing standards.

Eligibility to File a Claim

If a resident suffers from abuse or neglect, they can file a claim against a negligent nursing facility. If the resident is incapacitated or deceased, a family member, legal guardian, or estate representative can file a claim to hold nursing home facilities accountable for violations and recover compensation for the harm caused.

Liability in Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse Cases 

In nursing home negligence cases, liability can fall on several parties, depending on the circumstances. Multiple individuals or organizations may be responsible for the harm caused to elderly residents. Here are some examples of who can be held accountable:

• Nursing Home Facilities: Nursing facilities can be liable for failing to hire, train, or supervise staff properly. They can be responsible for resident injuries if they neglect to maintain a safe environment or implement proper care protocols.
• Nursing Home Staff: Individual caregivers, nurses, or doctors who directly engage in abusive or neglectful behavior can be held accountable. This liability covers physical abuse, failing to provide necessary medical care, or neglecting basic hygiene and nutrition.
• Third-Party Contractors: Sometimes, nursing home facilities rely on third-party providers for services like food, cleaning, or medical care. If these contractors contribute to neglect or abuse, they may also be liable.
• Administrators and Management: The nursing facility’s management team may be liable if they ignore complaints, fail to correct unsafe conditions, or overlook improper staff behavior.
• Product Manufacturers: In cases involving faulty equipment, such as defective bed rails or medical devices, manufacturers can also be held responsible for injuries to residents.

How Our Cobb County Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Can Help

Our Cobb County nursing home abuse attorneys have extensive experience handling nursing home negligence cases in North Georgia and beyond. We offer various legal services to ensure elderly residents and their families get the justice they deserve.

• Free Case Evaluation: We offer a free consultation to review your case and provide guidance on the best course of action.
• Case Investigation: Our attorneys conduct thorough investigations into the nursing facility’s practices, staffing records, and medical reports to gather evidence of abuse or neglect.
• Filing the Claim: We will handle the legal paperwork, ensuring your case is filed correctly and within the statute of limitations.
• Settlement Negotiation: Many cases are settled out of court, and your personal injury attorney will fight for the maximum compensation available.
• Trial Representation: We will take your case to court if necessary to ensure that justice is served.

Common Signs of Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Among Elderly Residents  

Recognizing the signs of elder abuse is important to protect your loved one. Here are some of the most common signs that may indicate abuse or neglect:

• Unexplained injuries or broken bones
• Sudden weight loss or dehydration
• Bedsores or poor hygiene
• Emotional withdrawal or fear of staff
• Sudden changes in financial situation

What to Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse

If you believe your loved one is a victim of elder abuse, it’s essential to take immediate action to protect them. Here’s a list of steps to follow:

• Call 911 if there’s immediate danger: If your loved one is in immediate physical danger, contact emergency services to ensure their safety.
• Report to the nursing home administrator or management: Notify the nursing home’s leadership about your concerns. They are obligated to investigate and address any issues related to abuse or neglect.
• File a complaint with your local Ombudsman’s office: The Ombudsman’s office advocates for the rights of nursing home residents and will investigate complaints of personal injury. They can help mediate issues and ensure your loved one receives excellent care.
• Contact a nursing home abuse lawyer: A nursing home abuse lawyer can help you understand your legal options and take action against the responsible parties to seek compensation for the abuse or neglect.

Damages You Can Recover Through a Nursing Home Abuse Claim

When pursuing a nursing home abuse claim, victims and their families can seek various types of damages, depending on the circumstances of the case. These damages fall into three main categories:

Economic Damages

These cover the direct financial losses incurred due to the abuse or neglect, such as:

• Medical bills: Costs for treatment, hospitalization, medications, and rehabilitation related to the abuse or neglect.
• Relocation costs: Expenses involved in moving the resident to a safer facility.
• Funeral and burial expenses: These expenses may be covered in cases involving wrongful death.

Non-Economic Damages

These address the emotional and psychological impact of the abuse, such as:

• Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical and emotional distress experienced by the resident.
• Loss of enjoyment of life: Damages for a diminished quality of life due to abuse or neglect.
• Emotional trauma: Compensation for mental anguish, anxiety, and emotional suffering.

Punitive Damages

In cases where the abuse is particularly egregious or malicious, the court may award punitive damages. These are intended to punish the nursing facility and deter future misconduct. Punitive damages go beyond compensating the victim, serving as a penalty for reckless or intentional harm.

The Cost of Hiring a Cobb County Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

We understand that legal fees can be a concern for families already dealing with nursing home neglect and abuse. Our law firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay if we win your case. This arrangement ensures that you can seek justice without the burden of upfront legal fees.

You Have Limited Time to Take Legal Action in Cobb County

Georgia law limits the amount of time you have to file a nursing home abuse claim. This time limit is known as the statute of limitations. In most cases, you have two years from the date of the abuse or discovery of injury to file a claim. Failing to file within this period can result in losing your right to compensation, so it’s crucial to act quickly.

Contact a Cobb County Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Today!

If you suspect that your loved one has been a victim of elder abuse in a Cobb County, Georgia, nursing home, don’t wait to seek help. Our experienced nursing home abuse attorneys are ready to fight for justice and ensure your family’s rights are protected. Contact us today for a free consultation, and let us help you get the compensation you deserve.

Call us at (800) 926-7565 or fill out our contact form.