We entrust some of our most vulnerable citizens to the care of nursing homes at a time in their lives when they need nurturing, companionship, and medical care. If you suspect your loved one is being abused or neglected by staff in a nursing home facility, you should immediately speak up and report it.
If you are unsure how to report a nursing home for neglect or abuse in Georgia, Senior Justice Law Firm can assist you from the inception of an investigation through the pursuit of legal action.
Know the Signs
Nursing home abuse can include several types of elder abuse. Most commonly:
- Physical abuse,
- Sexual abuse,
- Emotional abuse,
- Financial abuse or exploitation,
- Neglect, and
- Self-Neglect.
If you see signs or symptoms pointing to possible abuse or neglect, you should contact the appropriate authorities immediately.
How to Report a Nursing Home to the State of Georgia for Abuse
If you believe someone is in immediate danger, contact the local police. Beyond that, you can report suspected nursing home abuse or neglect in three ways.
First, you can report the abuse to Georgia’s Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman. You can locate the community ombudsman serving the local area through their website or file a formal complaint.
You can also report nursing home abuse to the Department of Community Health, Healthcare Facility Regulation by calling 1-800-878-6442 or visiting their website.
In addition, a third way to report nursing home abuse is to file a complaint online with Georgia’s Department of Human Services: Division of Aging Services.
Reporting abuse or neglect that occurs in a nursing home or long-term care facility is different from that of abuse to non-resident victims. For individuals not residing in a nursing home, you should contact Georgia Adult Protective Services.
Nursing Home Liability
Beyond filing a complaint with the appropriate agencies, you may be able to hold nursing home facilities and their staff civilly liable.
Negligent Hiring
Nursing home management is responsible for hiring qualified employees for residents’ daily care and needs. If potential employees are not adequately screened for qualification and possible disqualifications, it can lead to hiring unfit individuals. Nursing home facilities and hiring staff can be held liable for negligent hiring practices that lead to abuse and neglect of its residents.
Understaffing
Understaffing is most prevalent in government-funded nursing homes but can be present in private facilities, especially if owners are trying to maximize profits at the expense of their residents. If the staff-to-resident ratio is disproportionate, it means residents will receive less care and is often a recipe for neglect and abuse.
Inadequate Training Practices
Even if the facility is diligent in hiring, adequately training their employees can lead to abuse.
Importantly, depending on the circumstances and extent of harm, the state may pursue criminal charges against the responsible parties. Whether criminal charges are filed or not, you may still be able to pursue a civil claim.
Get Help Reporting Nursing Home Abuse in Georgia
If you suspect your family member is the victim of nursing home abuse, contact our team for guidance, advocacy, and justice. At Senior Justice Law Firm, we specialize in nursing home abuse and neglect cases and routinely achieve multi-million dollar settlements and jury awards for our clients. We can help you report nursing home neglect or abuse. Contact us today to schedule a no-cost compassionate consultation.
