Wandering and Elopement

Atlanta Nursing Home Negligence Lawyers

Wandering and elopement from nursing homes is often a signal that the facility is providing negligent care to its residents. Because many elderly nursing home residents have Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or the periodic forgetfulness which often accompanies old age, nursing homes are required to identify these cognitive impairments in the resident’s care plan and make certain adjustments to prevent wandering and elopement. Additionally, assisted living facilities are required to adequately supervise their residents to prevent any unnecessary harm caused by nursing home wandering and elopement. When an assisted living facility fails to take these precautionary measures, and a nursing home resident is injured, the facility may be liable under Georgia nursing home neglect laws. 

Find out if you can file a claim for compensation relating to your loved one’s wandering and elopement injuries. Complete our free case review form today to contact our Atlanta nursing home abuse lawyers. 

Elopement and Wandering in Nursing Homes

Wandering and elopement in nursing homes are two terms which refer to the movement of cognitively-impaired residents inside and outside of an elder care facility. Wandering occurs when a nursing home resident is permitted to walk aimlessly about the nursing home without a rational purpose or care for their personal safety. Elopement, on the other hand, occurs when a resident leaves the facility without supervision. 

Both wandering and elopement can result in serious injuries including the following: 

Atlanta Nursing Home Neglect Attorneys 

When a resident is injured while wandering within or eloping from their facility, their loved ones may have legal recourse to seek financial compensation and hold the medical establishment accountable for their actions or failure to act. At Morgan and Morgan, we are familiar with the precautions that must be taken to ensure residents who cannot care for themselves receive appropriate evaluation and supervision. Our experienced attorneys understand how to carry out a thorough investigation to determine if the patient suffered an injury due to nursing home neglect. 

If your loved one sustained injuries while wandering or eloping from a nursing home, contact our nursing home neglect attorneys for a free review of your claim. We are dedicated to holding elder care facilities accountable when their negligence leads to an injury to those placed in their care.