Personal Injury Lawyer Kenneth S. Nugent, P.C., Is Helping Patients Facing Nursing Home Abuse In Atlanta

Kenneth S. Nugent, P.C. Attorneys At Law, considered by many to be the best personal injury law firm Atlanta has to offer, is helping seniors from Georgia fight the abusive and negligent conditions that they may have experienced at long-term care facilities in the state.

Georgia has more than 680 assisted living facilities. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, a major daily newspaper from Atlanta, found in an investigation that, from 2015 to 2019, there were 600 allegations of neglect and 90 cases of abuse in assisted living communities across the state. The publication also found that over the same time, 20 deaths and more than 100 injuries were reportedly caused due to inadequate care at those nursing homes. ProPublica, a non-profit focused on investigating issues of public interest, surmised that Georgia was among the top ten states in the country when it comes to the number of nursing home violations. It is even more saddening that a majority of nursing home violations go unreported due to the huge power discrepancy between the facility and the patient who is often at their mercy.

The state of Georgia has recognized the issue and has taken steps to protect older adults or adults with disabilities who suffer from abuse, neglect, or exploitation in community living arrangements, personal care homes, intermediate care, or skilled nursing homes. The State Bar of Georgia has enforced laws to prevent nursing home abuse that are stricter than the equivalent federal regulations to ensure that the state’s seniors are cared for. Georgia gives its residents certain rights that are discussed carefully with them when they enter a nursing home facility. These include the right to non-discrimination, the right to privacy, the right to freedom of choice, the right to proper nutrition, and the right to freedom from restraints. If these rights are not met, the long-term care facility is liable to be sued by the patient or their loved ones. Those who suffer from abuse in assisted living facilities or witness it are encouraged to file a complaint with the nursing home administrators. If their complaint is not resolved within 72 hours, they can report the instance to the Division of Aging Services at the Georgia Department of Human Services.

A spokesperson for the Atlanta personal injury law firm talks about the severity of the nursing home abuse problem by saying, “During old age, when one is most vulnerable, one expects a life of quiet dignity free from the conflict and struggles that may have been a part of their youth. However, it can be hard to trust someone to take care of you when you repeatedly hear about the apathy of nursing homes that irreparably damage the physical and mental health of seniors. Our heart goes out to the victims. At the same time, it toughens our resolve to help them get back the peace of mind and respect that they have lost. Even if you are not on the receiving end yourself, you might know someone or have someone in your family who might be suffering from abuse in long-term care facilities. If you have elderly loved ones who have suddenly detached themselves from the ones they love or are displaying uncharacteristic changes in behavior, please reach out to them and try to get them to open up. When you determine the truth, contact the law office of Kenneth S. Nugent, P.C. We will help them get properly compensated for their pain and suffering by taking the fight to the nursing home and holding them accountable.”

Georgia law firm Kenneth S. Nugent, P.C., Attorneys At Law helps seniors who are victims of sexual abuse, physical abuse, verbal abuse, malnutrition, dehydration, medication errors, financial abuse, poor hygiene, dirty linens/clothing, decubitus ulcers (bed sores), staph infections, and slips and falls at nursing homes.

Readers from Georgia who have experienced abuse or negligence at nursing homes can contact Atlanta personal injury lawyer Kenneth S. Nugent, P.C., at (888) 579-1790.