Do you suspect a nursing home has harmed your loved one? Whether it’s a fall, bed sores, an untreated infection, or even wrongful death, our Decatur nursing home abuse attorneys are here to help you take action. Nursing homes are responsible for providing safe and proper care, and when they fail to meet this obligation, residents can suffer avoidable injuries or health issues.
At Senior Justice Law Firm, we focus solely on elder abuse cases and understand how difficult these situations can be for families. Attorney Tom Pleasant has spent years holding nursing homes accountable for neglect, unsafe practices, and violations of resident safety. Don’t wait to act if you suspect a nursing home has mistreated your loved one. Learn more about how we can help your family seek justice.
Call to receive a completely free Decatur nursing home abuse attorney case consultation:
470-598-1515.
Decatur Nursing Home Landscape
Few people would argue that Decatur sits among the greats when it comes to the pinnacle of cozy, chic living. At only 4.7 square miles, this small but homey city in Georgia is famous for its dining, art, and history scenes. It’s no surprise that many people choose to spend their later years here, enjoying the charm of the area —which means that the city continues to make space for more nursing homes to provide care for its aging population. Unfortunately, while the city has plenty of nursing homes, not all live up to the trust families place in them. Short staffing, budget cuts, and overcrowding often leave residents without the attention they need to stay safe. State inspections often reveal systemic problems in many facilities, including insufficient staffing and poor training. These gaps create unsafe conditions, leading to preventable harm like falls, infections, and untreated medical issues.
Families like yours have taken action to protect their loved ones. Noticing the signs of mistreatment can be the first step in ensuring your family member’s safety.
Red Flags of Nursing Home Abuse in Decatur and DeKalb County
Abuse or neglect in nursing homes isn’t always easy to spot, but certain warning signs can help you figure out when something is wrong. Early recognition of these issues can prevent further harm and protect your loved one’s well-being.
Bed Sores
Bed sores are one of the most common indicators of neglect in nursing homes. These painful wounds develop when a resident is left in the same position for too long without being moved or checked on. When staff fail to reposition residents regularly or ensure that pressure points are relieved, these sores can quickly worsen, leading to infections and severe pain. Bed sores are entirely preventable with proper monitoring and care, making them a strong warning sign of neglect.
Falls
Falls are another red flag that should never be ignored. Many nursing home residents have mobility issues and rely on staff for assistance with walking or transferring from beds and chairs. When staff fail to supervise or assist properly, residents can suffer falls that result in serious injuries like fractures, head trauma, or even permanent disability. Repeated or unexplained falls often point to inadequate supervision or unsafe facility conditions.
Infections
Infections can be a sign of poor hygiene or neglect. Frequent illnesses or recurring infections might mean the facility is not properly maintaining a clean environment or monitoring residents’ health. Untreated infections can escalate quickly, causing long-term damage or even life-threatening complications. A clean and safe living environment is critical to preventing these health risks.
Changes in Behavior
Behavioral changes in your loved one can often signal emotional or physical mistreatment. A sudden sense of fear, avoidance of certain staff members, or discomfort about being left alone may be signs of abuse. Withdrawal from activities they once enjoyed or a general sense of sadness or anxiety can also indicate emotional abuse or neglect.
Dehydration or Malnutrition
Dehydration and malnutrition are serious signs of neglect in a nursing home. Residents who appear weaker than usual, lose noticeable weight, or frequently complain of thirst may not be receiving adequate food or fluids. Nursing homes are responsible for monitoring basic nutritional needs and ensuring meals and hydration are appropriate for residents’ health conditions. Left untreated, dehydration and malnutrition can result in severe health problems, such as kidney failure, confusion, and hospitalization.
Medication Errors
Mistakes in administering medications can indicate neglect or poor training among staff. Residents may receive the wrong medication, an incorrect dosage, or miss doses entirely. These errors can lead to worsening health conditions, unexpected side effects, or dangerous drug interactions. If your loved one seems unusually drowsy or disoriented or experiences sudden health changes, investigate whether medication errors may be occurring.
Unexplained bruises or sudden mood changes may be additional signs of abuse or neglect. Families should take these concerns seriously and seek help to address the issue. In the worst cases, neglect can lead to wrongful death, leaving families to face the heartbreaking loss of a loved one.
Nursing Homes in Decatur
Decatur benefits from its proximity to Atlanta, just a short hop away—the metropolis area is naturally heavily populated, which means that your family should have more choices than average when it comes to deciding which facility to trust with continuing care. However, Decatur is home to a wide variety of well-rated, and poorly rated nursing homes.
In fact, more than half of the 70 facilities within 25 miles of the city center have scored at or only slightly above the bare minimum acceptable rating as determined by Medicare. This means that many residents at multiple facilities are at risk of experiencing negligence. While even a five-star nursing home can make mistakes, some of the facilities with a history of abuse or neglect citations in the Decatur area are more likely to provide negligent care.
Decatur’s nursing homes, regardless of rating, include:
| EAST LAKE ARBOR | 304 FIFTH AVENUE | DECATUR |
| GEORGIA REGIONAL ATLANTA LTC | 3073 PANTHERSVILLE RD, SNF BLDG. #17 | DECATUR |
| GLENWOOD HEALTH AND REHABILITATION CENTER | 4115 GLENWOOD RD | DECATUR |
| MANOR CARE REHABILITATION CENTER – DECATUR | 2722 NORTH DECATUR ROAD | DECATUR |
| NORTH DECATUR HEALTH AND REHABILITATION CENTER | 2787 NORTH DECATUR ROAD | DECATUR |
| PRUITTHEALTH – DECATUR | 3200 PANTHERSVILLE ROAD | DECATUR |
Decatur Area Assisted Living Communities
| ARBOR TERRACE DECATUR | 425 WINN WAY | DECATUR |
| BENTON HOUSE OF DECATUR | 2711 LAWRENCEVILLE HWY | DECATUR |
| HOLBROOK OF DECATUR, THE | 1882 CLAIRMONT ROAD | DECATUR |
| MADELINE OF DECATUR, THE | 475 IRVIN COURT | DECATUR |
| SUNRISE OF DECATUR | 920 CLAIRMONT AVENUE | DECATUR |
Where Decatur Facilities Struggle: Staff Numbers
Each nursing home will have its weaknesses when it comes to resident issues and care, but many facilities in Decatur face a common problem: understaffing.
Adequate staffing ensures residents receive the supervision, help, and attention they need to stay safe and healthy. Unfortunately, some nursing homes cut staff levels to save on costs, often leading to neglect. With fewer caregivers available, residents may go without assistance for meals, bathroom needs, or movement, increasing the risk of bed sores, falls, and infections.
Georgia requires nursing homes to provide at least 2.5 hours of direct care per resident per day, with a minimum of one certified nursing assistant per 20 residents during the day. Despite these requirements, many facilities fail to meet these standards. When staffing levels fall short, residents are left vulnerable, increasing the likelihood of neglect or harm.
Instances of Decatur Nursing Home Neglect
One location in the area was cited for a severe violation after it failed to properly clean glucometers (which test blood sugar) for seven residents; this deficiency violated the Georgia Practical Nurses Practice Act, which is in place to ensure professional standards for medical care. Failure to properly disinfect medical equipment that comes in contact with blood can contribute to the risk of HIV transmission. Other locations have shown a consistent pattern of failing to assist residents with activities of daily living when they are unable to do so on their own, such as trimming their nails or engaging them in meaningful activities. In addition, some locations were not able to keep their medication error rates below the 5% standard, with the rate of error for medication distribution sitting at approximately 13.79%.
The East Lake Harbor facility in Decatur has received 36 citations for deficiencies, of which 17 were considered serious, resulting in fines of $13,523. North Decatur Health and Rehabilitation Center has been cited 17 times, with the Glenwood location at 18. Manor Care Rehabilitation Center’s Decatur facility has seen 15 citations for deficiencies, and Pruitthealth follows close behind at 12.
Resources in Decatur That You Should Know About
Georgia provides several resources to help you address concerns about mistreatment in nursing homes.
One key program is the Ombudsman Program offered by the Georgia Division of Aging Services, part of the Department of Human Services (DHS). This program provides assistance to nursing home residents and their families, helping to address concerns about abuse or neglect. To find the nearest ombudsman office, you can use their statewide map at https://www.georgiaombudsman.org/locations-east/. For additional support, you can contact Melanie McNeil, the State Ombudsman:
- Email: Melanie.McNeil@osltco.ga.gov
- Phone: (404) 657-5327
- In-person: 225 Cameron Road, McDonough, Georgia 30253
Residents and families can also report issues to Georgia’s Healthcare Facility Regulation Division, which investigates complaints and monitors facility compliance. You can contact them by calling (404) 657-5728.
You can also reach out to the Georgia Adult Protective Services (APS) division, which investigates reports of elder abuse and neglect. To make a report, call their 24-hour hotline at 1-866-552-4464. This hotline connects you to someone who can guide you through the reporting process and help assess whether further action is needed.
Concerns involving immediate safety risks should be reported to local law enforcement, as they can act quickly to protect your loved one.
Filing a Claim for Nursing Home Abuse
If your loved one has suffered harm in a nursing home, filing a claim often starts with gathering evidence to show what happened. Detailed information can help demonstrate what went wrong and how it could have been avoided.
Here are some ways to gather details:
- Take photos of injuries, unsafe conditions, or anything that seems out of place;
- Collect medical records that show the treatments or lack of treatments your loved one received; and
- Write down specific conversations you’ve had with staff or anything your loved one has shared about their experience.
Medical experts play an important role in these cases. They can review the medical records and explain whether your loved one received appropriate care. For example, a doctor might explain that the nursing staff failed to move the resident regularly, leading to a bed sore, or that improper hygiene protocols caused an infection to spread. These findings help connect the harm your loved one suffered to the nursing home’s actions—or inaction.
Once our Decatur elder abuse attorneys gather this information, we will move the case forward. We’ll communicate with the nursing home, insurance companies, and others involved so you can focus on supporting your loved one. Whether the case involves negotiating a resolution or pursuing legal action in court, we aim to ensure accountability and secure the outcome your family needs.
Georgia law establishes a two-year statute of limitations for filing personal injury claims, including cases of nursing home neglect and abuse. This means you must initiate legal action within two years of discovering the harm. However, specific circumstances—such as wrongful death cases or harm that wasn’t immediately apparent—can sometimes adjust this timeline. Consulting an experienced Decatur nursing home abuse attorney as soon as possible can help ensure you don’t miss the opportunity to seek justice for your loved one.
Compensation Types for Nursing Home Abuse Victims
When families discover mistreatment of their loved ones, they often face unexpected expenses and emotional stress. Compensation can help offset these costs while holding the nursing home responsible for its actions.
Here are some of the expenses compensation may help cover:
- Medical bills, such as hospital visits, medications, surgeries, and rehabilitation;
- Costs related to relocating your loved one to a safer facility; and
- Lost income, if you had to take time off work to support your loved one.
Compensation can also address emotional harm. Abuse or neglect can leave lasting effects on residents, including pain, anxiety, or feelings of helplessness. A claim may seek financial recovery for these intangible losses, helping to recognize the impact on their mental and emotional well-being.
In cases involving wrongful death, compensation may also cover funeral and burial expenses and the emotional loss suffered by the family. These damages aim to provide financial stability after a heartbreaking loss and ensure the responsible facility is held accountable.
Courts may also award punitive damages intended to penalize the nursing home for particularly harmful behavior and send a message to other facilities that negligence or abuse will not be tolerated.
Families often wonder if pursuing compensation will create change. While families cannot undo the harm already done to their loved ones, they can seek accountability to push for better practices, potentially protecting other residents from suffering the same treatment.
Our Decatur Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Are Here to Help
Discovering that your loved one has not received the care they deserve can be shocking and leave you feeling helpless and confused. At Senior Justice Law Firm, we understand that this is a stressful time, which is why we are dedicated to this specific area of law and helping the families affected.
You can reach out to us at any time at 470-598-1515 or toll-free at 888-375-9998 to discuss whether you may have a case and how to proceed.
Our Decatur nursing home neglect lawyers can help you to seek damages and accountability from the at-fault nursing home facility. Best of all, you only pay if we succeed in getting a settlement or judgment for you. We require no out-of-pocket retainer for our legal fees or case costs.
You deserve justice when nursing homes are negligent or abusive. Speak with our Decatur nursing home abuse lawyers to learn more about your legal rights. Give us a call or utilize our online contact form to get in touch for a free consultation.
