Causes of Nursing Home Abuse

Atlanta Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

Several studies have been conducted on the causes of abuse in nursing homes. Most commonly, research found nursing homes which were negligent in hiring and training their employees were more likely to see instances of elder abuse and neglect than those who took care in selecting and teaching the employees who are responsible for caring for their residents. If your loved one was injured in a nursing home, our elder abuse lawyers can investigate the facility to determine the cause of the abuse. If we find that the nursing home was negligent(e.g. they understaffed the facility, placing a heavy work load for the staff), you may be able to file a claim seeking compensation. To find out if you are eligible for a nursing home abuse lawsuit, complete our no risk, no obligation case review form today.  

Causes of Abuse and Neglect in Atlanta Nursing Homes

Elderly nursing home residents are often placed in a vulnerable position, depending on the staff to meet their health, nutritional and housing needs. Unfortunately, many nursing homes are unable to meet these needs, and may put their patients at risk for abuse or neglect. The following provides an overview of the factors which could lead to elder abuse.

Inadequate Staffing: A major cause of nursing home abuse, inadequate staffing occurs when the facility does not employ enough staff to meet the levels recommended by federal officials. When a nursing home fails to adequately staff its facility, residents may be more likely to develop bedsores and lose an excessive amount of weight. This occurs because the facility needs an adequate number of employees to turn immobile residents and feed those who cannot eat by themselves. Additionally, understaffing can create frustration among employees, who consequently may have difficulty dealing with a large number of residents patiently and respectfully. 

Poor Training and Pay: Poor training and low pay is another common cause of nursing home abuse. When nursing home employees receive inadequate training in caring for disabled patients and documenting their medical conditions, confusion, neglect and abuse may result. Often, this is because the nursing home staff may be unable to properly complete medical forms, failing to address the needs of the patient’s condition. Low pay for nurse’s aides and orderlies can also lead to nursing home abuse. Nursing home work is often demanding, and those who are poorly paid may develop a loss of concern for patients. In addition, a high turnover rate can lead to a lack of a strong relationship between the staff and patients. 

Failure to Screen Employees: A common cause of nursing home abuse, failure to screen employees can put nursing home residents at risk for serious injuries. When hiring employees, facilities should conduct a background check to determine if there is any reason to believe the candidate may be abusive or neglectful toward its residents. Should the facility fail to carry out a background check on an employee with an abusive background, it may liable should that employee harm a resident.  

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

Aggressive nursing home residents are said to be more at risk for abuse in Atlanta nursing homes than those who are compliant with the staff. At our firm, we believe there is no reason to abuse or neglect an elder and are prepared to take legal action against any facility that mistreats its residents. If your loved one is being abused or neglected in a nursing home, contact us today for a free case evaluation to find out if we can hold the nursing home accountable for their negligence.