Nursing Home Neglect

5 Signs of Nursing Home Abuse Never to Overlook

October 27, 2021 | by Slappey & Sadd, LLC

Several walkers in storage at a facility There often comes a point in time where seniors can no longer care for themselves or be cared for at home. When this happens, nursing homes are a popular choice for those with aging loved ones. Most of these facilities offer safe living communities with around-the-clock care and medical staff.

Unfortunately, nursing home residents are easy targets for abuse or neglect. It’s important to know some of the warning signs of nursing home abuse so that you can better look after your senior loved one. Our firm of Atlanta elder care abuse attorneys has compiled a list of 5 common signs of abuse that should never be ignored.

Behavioral Changes

Top 5 Signs of Nursing Home Neglect

November 7, 2020 | by Slappey & Sadd, LLC

A young person holding an older person's hand Nursing home neglect is a serious problem in Atlanta and throughout the United States. Unfortunately, in many cases, nursing home abuse goes unnoticed, leaving victims to suffer indefinitely and without compensation for their injuries. At Slappey & Sadd, our experienced Atlanta elder abuse attorneys understand how seriously abuse can affect nursing home residents and are available to review the facts of your case at no cost to you.

Below are some common signs of nursing home neglect that you should be on the lookout for:

Unexplained Weight Loss

What Will Be the Legal Fallout from the Pandemic?

April 17, 2020 | by Slappey & Sadd, LLC

a man dressed in bio-protective gear Since the coronavirus made its way to America, many of us are suddenly facing unemployment or unable to pay our bills. As the quarantine drags on, businesses are losing money, if they aren’t closed altogether. An increase in bankruptcy cases seems inevitable, as does an increase in business-related litigation as businesses cannot meet contractual obligations. Even divorce attorneys are anticipating a spike in cases. At Slappey & Sadd, we are concerned about what the coronavirus may mean for injury claims across the state of Georgia.

Nursing Homes

The elderly are among the most vulnerable, especially when it comes to contracting the coronavirus. We have written extensively about negligence in nursing homes, particularly about how many nursing homes across the state of Georgia routinely fail to provide an adequate level of care. If a nursing home facility fails to take reasonable precautions against the transmission of COVID-19, the results will be deadly. We are monitoring this situation closely.

When Nursing Homes are Negligent

January 31, 2020 | by Slappey & Sadd, LLC

doctor in an operating room It’s well documented that the coronavirus can be life-threatening for the elderly and those whose immune systems are already impaired. As a result, nursing homes and other facilities frequented by the elderly must take extra precautions to minimize exposure to their residents and clients. The truth is, however, that these facilities face a number of challenges even without the current epidemic. Sadly, many nursing homes fail to keep their residents safe and do not provide the care that they promised.

Nursing homes can be negligent in several different ways, such as failing to comply with regulatory standards or as a result of poor maintenance. In this post, we’ll discuss some of the common sources of negligence in nursing homes.

Inadequate Staffing

Identifying Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse

December 16, 2019 | by Slappey & Sadd, LLC

An exclamation point in a red triangle The idea that your elderly loved one could experience neglect or abuse in the nursing home that you so carefully chose with his or her well-being at heart is especially difficult. Nursing home neglect and abuse, however, are more common than you probably realize. When the most vulnerable among us are subjected to abuse or neglect, it can be hard to accept, which can make it more difficult to identify. If your loved one has suffered nursing home abuse or neglect, obtain the professional legal counsel of an experienced Atlanta personal injury attorney.

Common Signs of Neglect and Abuse

One of the most important considerations related to nursing home neglect and abuse is trusting your instincts. If you witness something that strikes you as wrong, it very well may be. Take an active interest in the care your loved one receives and stay attuned to the warning signs of neglect and abuse, which can include:

A Shocking Look at Elder Care in Georgia

September 15, 2019 | by Slappey & Sadd, LLC

Older man resting his hands on a cane. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has begun releasing reports stemming from its “Unprotected” project, an unprecedented review of elder care facilities in the state of Georgia. The project involved reviewing thousands of public records for the years 2015 to 2018. The project comes on the heels of a report that was released last fall that placed Georgia among the top five states with the worst-reviewed nursing homes and Atlanta as the city with the most poorly rated nursing homes.

The elder abuse and neglect attorneys at Slappey & Sadd are dedicated to holding caregivers responsible. If you suspect that your loved one is being abused or neglected, we can help. Call us at 888-474-9616 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case and your options.

Criminal Charges

Who Can be Sued for Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect?

May 13, 2019 | by Slappey & Sadd, LLC

Older man resting his hands on a cane. Elderly people and individuals with special health needs are the most vulnerable among us. All too often, however, these individuals’ needs are neglected by staff at nursing homes and assisted living centers. Nursing home patients are not always aware of what’s happening, and it is often a loved one who discovers the abuse or neglect.

If you suspect that a loved one is being neglected or abused in a Georgia nursing home or assisted living facility, it is important that you seek an experienced attorney right away to address those problems. The knowledgeable Georgia nursing home abuse lawyers at Slappey & Sadd, LLC can speak with you or your loved one and investigate the situation. We can also promptly take legal action if the situation warrants.

Our experienced lawyers represent victims of nursing home abuse and neglect throughout Georgia, in Fulton County, DeKalb County, Gwinnett County, Muscogee County, Newton County, Richmond County, Troup County, Walton County, and Whitfield County. Please call us today at 404.255.6677, or contact us online, for assistance with filing a claim for personal injuries.

What Types of Cases Does a Personal Injury Attorney Handle?

February 28, 2019 | by Slappey & Sadd, LLC

Many A man with a suit hold a piece of paper that says "lawsuit" people think of personal injury attorneys purely in terms of car accident cases. The truth is that a personal injury attorney can help you in any situation where you have been injured through someone else’s fault. Serious injuries can have life-altering consequences. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you protect your future by seeking fair compensation for your injuries and other losses.

Unintentional Torts: Cases Involving Negligence

Personal injury attorneys handle tort cases – cases that involve an action or failure to act that resulted in harm to another person. Tort cases are civil cases, which means that the plaintiff is seeking a money judgment in order to receive compensation for their losses and injuries.

Viral Illnesses and Health Care Facilities

October 27, 2018 | by Slappey & Sadd, LLC

virus-1812092_1920-300x150 An alarming tragedy is unfolding in New Jersey – nine children have died as a result of a viral outbreak at a nursing home in Haskell, New Jersey. The New Jersey Department of Health has prohibited the facility from admitting any new patients until the outbreak has been resolved.

A Virus Associated with Communal Living

The illness that has caused the outbreak is an adenovirus, which is a virus that infects the linings of the respiratory tract and other membranes. It is believed that this particular strain of adenovirus is one that flourishes in communal living environments. It is reported that a total of 25 patients at the New Jersey facility have been diagnosed with adenovirus, which manifests itself as mild to severe cold-like illness. Unfortunately, adenovirus can then cause other illnesses, such as bronchitis, diarrhea, and even pneumonia.

Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents in Nursing Homes

September 16, 2018 | by Slappey & Sadd, LLC

If you’ve ever had to care for an older parent or relative in your home, you know how stressful it can be. They are unsteady on their feet, and the constant fear that they will fall and injure themselves has you sitting up in bed at the slightest sound. Eventually, you realize that your home isn’t equipped to meet their needs, and so you move them into a home that is better suited for their mobility issues. We all assume that nursing homes and assisted living facilities provide a safe environment for our elders. Who is at fault when they fall and get injured?

Negligence in the Nursing Home Context

We’ve written previously about how to define negligence, but to review, someone is negligent when they fail to act with the same level of care that someone of ordinary prudence would have exercised under the same circumstances. It’s important to note the phrase “under the same circumstances” in order to understand that what may be negligence in one situation is not negligence in another. To apply it to the context of this post, what may constitute negligence in a nursing home may not be considered negligence in an apartment context. Here are some examples of potential negligence in nursing homes and other assisted living facilities: