The Athens Nursing Home and Elder Abuse Attorney

Nursing Home Neglect and Elder Abuse is on the Rise 

Entrusting your loved one’s care to a nursing home is not an easy decision. Sometimes, however, you cannot provide the level of care and support they need, and you are forced to decide that they will be safer in someone else’s hands. Unfortunately, these hands are not always more capable, and many nursing homes put profits over patients.

When this happens, you and your loved one deserve justice, and The Law Office of Joshua W. Branch, LLC is here to help and delivering justice is their specialty. With 18 years of experience in Athens and Atlanta, Georgia, Joshua W. Branch is a passionate advocate for injured clients who have been victims of nursing home neglect or elder abuse. Our firm focuses exclusively on personal injury law, which means we have the skill and dedication you need to achieve the most favorable possible outcome in your case.

Contact us online or call us at (706) 760-9220 to get started.

Facts About Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse

Approximately 1 in 10 Americans aged 60+ have experienced some form of elder abuse. According to the World Health Organization (WHO):

“Elder abuse is a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person. This type of violence constitutes a violation of human rights and includes physical, sexual, psychological, and emotional abuse; financial and material abuse; abandonment; neglect; and serious loss of dignity and respect.”

Sometimes, nursing home staff intentionally harm or take advantage of residents, but others, resident wellbeing is overlooked. All types of nursing home neglect and abuse can lead to serious consequences. Many times a nursing home will not employ the appropriate number of staff to patients so as to abide by federal guidelines. This leaves the patients inadequately attended to wherein serious injuries or even death can occur.

If you or a loved one have been harmed, The Athens Nursing Home and Elder Abuse Attorney can help. Call us at (706) 760-9220 or contact us online today.

What Causes Nursing Home Abuse?

Across the nation, nursing homes are chronically understaffed, which means nursing home residents are not getting the care they need. Further, nursing home residents are some of the most vulnerable members of our society. Often, these individuals have physical or cognitive difficulties that make them dependent on caretakers and prevent them from speaking out against mistreatment.

The best way to detect nursing home abuse is to visit your loved one regularly and keep an eye on their health and wellbeing.

Warning signs of nursing home abuse include:

• Bruises
• Pressure marks
• Bedsores
• Broken bones
• Burns
• Abrasions
• Recurring falls
• Changes in behavior
• Withdrawal from normal activities
• Unexplained depression
• Unusual weight loss
• Poor hygiene
• Sudden financial changes
• Conflict with caregivers

If you notice any of these injuries or behaviors, you should alert the nursing home right away. If they are not immediately remedied, contact The Law Office of Joshua W. Branch, LLC for the legal assistance you need.

Consequences of Nursing Home Abuse

Elders who have been abused have a 300% higher risk of death, according to the National Council on Aging (NCOA). Bedsores and falls especially can affect a nursing home resident’s health for years to come.

Further, no one deserves to be subject to neglect or anguish. If someone has hurt you or your loved one, you deserve justice.

A lawsuit cannot change what happened, but it can help account for the impact abuse has on an elderly person’s life. Damages may help you pay for the best care moving forward and ensure comfort and security for the entire family.

We have a long history of successful verdicts and settlements and would be honored to pursue damages on your behalf. Contact the Athens nursing home and elder abuse lawyer by calling (706) 760-9220 today!